Air India Joins Air Canada, PLAY, And BermudAir In Suspending Routes And Freezing US Travel Connectivity For 2025 And 2026 Amid Network Reshuffling: New Updates You Should Know

Published on December 22, 2025

Air India joins Air Canada, PLAY, and BermudAir in suspending routes and freezing US travel connectivity for 2025 and 2026 as part of broader network reshuffles amid shifting market dynamics. This move, which includes the withdrawal of direct flights between Bengaluru, Mumbai, and San Francisco, reflects the airline’s focus on optimizing its operations and expanding its Delhi hub services to North America. As these airlines scale back or abandon certain US routes, it highlights the challenges of balancing demand, operational costs, and competitive pressures in a post-pandemic aviation landscape.

In an ever-evolving aviation landscape, airlines are facing complex challenges that lead to network reshuffles and service suspensions. Recently, Air India made headlines with its decision to suspend nonstop flights between Bengaluru, Mumbai, and San Francisco, starting March 1, 2026. This move joins a growing list of airlines—Air Canada, PLAY, and BermudAir—that have similarly scaled back their US route offerings. These decisions not only affect passenger convenience but also signal a broader shift in how airlines are approaching their network strategies.

Air India’s Route Suspensions: Impact on Tech and Business Travel

Air India’s recent decision to pull its direct flights between Bengaluru–San Francisco and Mumbai–San Francisco is significant, especially for business travelers and tech professionals who rely heavily on these connections. While the airline plans to expand its Delhi operations to North America, including increasing Delhi–San Francisco flights from seven to ten per week, this will not fully absorb the demand from the suspended routes.

Affected passengers have expressed confusion and concern over the withdrawal, with many questioning how they would manage their existing bookings, particularly those traveling beyond February 28, 2026. Air India has assured that passengers will either be re-accommodated on alternative services or offered full refunds. The airline has also stated that it will consider reinstating the suspended routes if airspace restrictions ease.

This decision is a blow to the growing number of business travelers flying from Bengaluru and Mumbai, which are key hubs for India’s tech and business sectors. Many of these professionals depend on non-stop routes to the US for ease and efficiency. However, with the expansion of Delhi–San Francisco flights, Air India seems to be redirecting its efforts to consolidate traffic through its largest hub, likely due to operational constraints and competitive positioning.

Air Canada: Cutting Routes to the US Amidst Fleet and Network Shifts

Air Canada, one of the largest carriers between North America and the rest of the world, is also making significant cuts to its US routes. Effective from the winter season of 2025-2026, the airline has announced the suspension of several smaller US routes, primarily affecting secondary cities in the United States. Air Canada’s decision follows a trend of downsizing by major carriers as they adjust to changing market conditions, including lower-than-expected demand for some cross-border routes and operational cost challenges.

Among the suspended routes are some from smaller Canadian cities that were previously linked to US destinations. For instance, Air Canada’s flights between Vancouver and San Diego, as well as Toronto and Nashville, will no longer operate after the winter of 2025. The airline’s decision to scale back on some of its US connections comes at a time when it is also shifting focus to expanding its presence in the transatlantic market and bolstering operations on key international routes.

While the cuts to US routes will impact travelers, especially those flying from less congested airports, the increased frequency of Air Canada’s services between major Canadian cities and key US destinations like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago aims to keep its North American network robust.

PLAY Airlines: Exiting the US Market and Shifting Focus to Europe

Icelandic budget carrier PLAY is another airline that has pulled back from the US market. After only a brief stint offering low-cost transatlantic flights, PLAY announced in late 2025 that it would cease all its US routes. This decision was primarily driven by a lack of profitability on its North American services and the airline’s desire to concentrate more on its core European operations.

PLAY’s foray into the US market had been seen as a challenge to the dominance of larger, established carriers, but despite its competitive pricing, the airline struggled to maintain its foothold. In particular, the Icelandic airline’s flights to Boston and New York proved to be unprofitable, prompting PLAY to refocus on its European routes, where demand for low-cost travel remains high.

PLAY’s exit from the US route network is yet another example of how even low-cost carriers are finding it challenging to compete on long-haul routes without the financial backing and operational scale of larger airlines. As part of its restructuring, PLAY will now prioritize shorter routes to major European cities, where demand for budget travel is expected to remain strong.

BermudAir: A Short-Lived US Presence Comes to an End

BermudAir, a small airline based in Bermuda, also made waves earlier in 2025 with its announcement to stop all US services. Originally launched with the intent to connect Bermuda with the US Northeast, the airline found it difficult to build a sustainable market. After a few months of operation, BermudAir began reducing its frequency on routes to New York and Boston, eventually pulling the plug on these services altogether.

Despite initial excitement over the new options for travelers, the airline faced operational and financial difficulties that led to its exit. BermudAir had aimed to carve out a niche in the US market, but it could not compete with larger carriers offering similar routes and schedules. The airline’s short-lived venture into the US market serves as a reminder of the competitive pressures airlines face in one of the world’s most saturated aviation markets.

While BermudAir continues to serve domestic and regional routes within Bermuda, its failure to establish itself on transatlantic routes underscores the difficulty for small carriers in penetrating long-haul travel markets.

Why Are Airlines Suspending US Routes?

The decision to suspend or scale back US routes isn’t unique to a few isolated carriers. It’s part of a broader trend in the global aviation industry, driven by several key factors:

1. Post-Pandemic Adjustments: The global airline industry continues to adjust to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, with some carriers rethinking their route structures in light of fluctuating demand patterns and financial constraints. Some routes that were once viable during periods of pent-up demand are now being reconsidered as airlines look to optimize their networks.
2. Operational Challenges: Airlines are also facing operational challenges, including rising fuel costs, aircraft shortages, and staffing issues. These factors can impact an airline’s ability to maintain profitability on certain routes, particularly those that are less popular or have lower yield potential.
3. Increased Competition: With the growth of low-cost carriers and the recovery of full-service airlines, the competition on US routes has intensified. Many carriers are reassessing their long-haul route strategies to ensure they are focusing on profitable, high-demand connections rather than spreading their resources too thin.
4. Geopolitical and Economic Factors: Political tensions, airspace restrictions, and global economic shifts can all play a role in airlines reevaluating their route networks. For example, geopolitical uncertainties may lead to temporary suspensions of routes to certain regions, while economic factors like inflation and exchange rate fluctuations can impact demand for international travel.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for US-International Connectivity?

As 2025 winds down and 2026 approaches, airlines are likely to continue refining their networks, with more suspensions and route alterations in the cards. For travelers, this means having to stay alert to any changes in flight schedules or cancellations, especially when planning travel across continents.

Airlines such as United Airlines and American Airlines have so far avoided major cuts to their US international routes, but smaller carriers, particularly those with fewer resources and a more limited network, are likely to feel the pinch as they struggle to adapt to shifting demand patterns. The suspension of services by carriers like Air India, Air Canada, PLAY, and BermudAir reflects the broader turbulence in the aviation industry and highlights the importance of flexibility for both airlines and passengers.

The decision by Air India to suspend its routes to San Francisco from Bengaluru and Mumbai has added to a growing list of airlines cutting back on US services. Joining Air Canada, PLAY, and BermudAir, Air India is recalibrating its long-haul strategy, likely to focus more on expanding services through its Delhi hub. This trend is a reflection of the ongoing challenges airlines face as they adapt to an unpredictable global travel environment.

Air India joins Air Canada, PLAY, and BermudAir in suspending US routes as part of network adjustments and operational shifts for 2025 and 2026. These changes reflect airlines’ efforts to streamline services and focus on more profitable routes amid evolving demand.

Passengers affected by these route suspensions are advised to stay updated with airline communications and consider alternative travel options as the global aviation landscape continues to evolve. Whether it’s Air India, Air Canada, or PLAY, each airline’s decision highlights the delicate balance airlines must strike between maintaining operational efficiency and meeting passenger demand. As we head into 2026, the aviation industry’s route realignments will undoubtedly continue to reshape the way we travel.