Air India to discontinue direct flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai to San Francisco starting March 1.

Air India has announced it will cease its non-stop flights to San Francisco from Bengaluru and Mumbai starting March 1, due to challenges with aircraft deployment and increasing operational costs linked to ongoing airspace restrictions, according to TOI.

“The airline has adjusted its North America schedule to optimize capacity and address rising expenses associated with ongoing airspace limitations,” an AI spokesperson said in the report.

This decision has caused confusion and concern among travelers, particularly for those who have already booked flights beyond February 28.

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An Air India representative informed TOI that the suspension may not be long-term and suggested that the airline plans to reinstate non-stop services from Bengaluru and Mumbai once airspace restrictions are lifted.

Passengers impacted by the cancellation of the Bengaluru–San Francisco and Mumbai–San Francisco routes will be rebooked on alternative flights or offered full refunds.

While direct flights from these two cities are being suspended, Air India intends to increase its non-stop services between Delhi and San Francisco, as well as Delhi and Toronto, to a total of 10 flights per week. The airline anticipates that the higher frequency from the national capital will help accommodate some of the travel demand that has been disrupted.

However, this change is likely to disrupt a considerable number of travelers, particularly tech professionals and business passengers who depend on non-stop flights to the US West Coast. The Bengaluru–San Francisco route, which has been operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, has played a vital role for India’s technology hub, serving professionals commuting between Silicon Valley and the nation’s IT capital.

In response to this change, a user on X expressed, “I have flights booked for my family on the Bengaluru–San Francisco route (with return) in May,” and shared his worry, asking, “What should I do now?”