Air India cuts Bengaluru / Mumbai – San Francisco operations effective March 2026; Installs more Delhi – San Francisco flights instead

It is no secret that the closure of the Pakistan Airspace and the ongoing trimming of Air India’s Boeing 777 fleet have made it hard for the airline to sustain what is one of its most profitable routes, but it is struggling to do so. Now, there is a major rejig planned for the network, as the Boeing 777-300ER fleet currently serves the routes.

Air India’s Boeing 777-200LR timeline

The difference between the -300ER and -200LR variants is primarily their range and payload capabilities. While the -300ER can fly for about 7850 nautical miles, the -200LR variant flies for approximately 9900 nautical miles. On the other hand, the -300ER variant can fly over 360 passengers, and the -200LR variant can only fly about 310 passengers. The -300ER became the equipment of choice for long-haul operations, and the -200LR bowed out after only 61 were made due to poor demand. As you can imagine, these birds are elusive.

At one point, Air India had a dozen Boeing 777-200 Long Range Aircraft, basically one-fifth of the variant’s total production. However, the poor upkeep during government ownership and the not-so-great utilisation of these gas guzzlers meant they were not used to their true potential. Air India actually gave up on the first four airframes after only 4-5 years of use. They also infamously sold five of their airframes to Etihad during a cash crunch in the 2010s. The last three frames were the lifeline for the airline to operate the BLR – SFO route, but Air India also recruited five ex-Delta LR aircraft after privatisation.

Recently, Air India binned its three 777LR airframes, given they might not have been in great shape, and it has better aircraft, such as the A350-1000, coming into the fleet soon. Out of the five 777-200LRs that were ex-Delta airframes, two have already been returned. The remaining three should also be removed from the fleet soon. The aircraft were contracted for a period while the original owner awaited slots to get them worked upon in the shop.

Air India reworks the North America network.

Air India has now filed the network changes for its North American network, effective March 2026. According to AeroRoutes, the following changes are being made

• The Bangalore – San Francisco three-times-weekly flight, which currently operates through Kolkata for a technical stop, will be closed after February 27, 2026
• The Mumbai – San Francisco four times weekly flight, which also operates through Kolkata for a technical stop, will be closed on February 28, 2026

The existing slots will, however, be kept. Delhi – San Francisco will increase from 7 to 10 weekly flights effective March 2026. The San Francisco departure will continue via Kolkata, with a refuelling halt. Here is the flight schedule of the new addition.

AI183 DEL0500 – 0800SFO 77W 246
AI173 DEL1025 – 1325SFO 77W D

AI184 SFO1100 – 1620+1CCU1740+1 – 2005+1DEL 77W 246
AI174 SFO1525 – 2045+1CCU2215+1 – 0040+2DEL 77W D

Also, the remaining airframe rotations will be used to enhance service between Delhi and Toronto. Delhi – Toronto will increase in frequency from 7 to 10 weekly. The flight will make a westbound technical stop via Vienna, but will operate nonstop on the way home.

AI187 DEL0135 – 0625VIE0755 – 1205YYZ 77W D
AI189 DEL1200 – 1650VIE1825 – 2235YYZ 77W 357

AI190 YYZ0020 – 0250+1DEL 77W 146
AI188 YYZ1405 – 1455+1DEL 77W D

The readjustments are happening, arguably, because the airline is unable to operate the flights effectively due to the lack of availability of Pakistani airspace. Air India’s statement on the closure of these flights said,

Air India will seek to reinstate non-stop service from Bengaluru and Mumbai, should airspace restrictions ease

Those who were booked on the flights from BOM and BLR now face a choice. Either they can reroute via Delhi or take a full refund and rebook with a different carrier.

Bottomline

Air India has consolidated its presence in San Francisco, cutting flights from Mumbai and Bengaluru and making all SFO flights operate only from Delhi as of March 1, 2026. The airline will also use the airframes freed by this move to enhance services between Delhi and Toronto. With this, one of the most popular Air India routes is off, one that the airline created and nurtured over time.

What do you make of Air India having to withdraw from one of its prime, but problematic routes?

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