Air India Shocks Passengers By Discontinuing Nonstop Flights From Bengaluru And Mumbai To San Francisco: A Major Setback For Business And Tech Travelers

Published on December 22, 2025

Air India’s recent announcement to discontinue its nonstop flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai to San Francisco starting from March 1, 2026, has sent ripples of confusion and concern across the travel community. This significant move has especially affected tech professionals, business travelers, and passengers who had already made plans for travel beyond February 28, 2026.

Air India’s Route Changes and Its Impact on Passengers

According to a spokesperson from Air India, the decision to modify the airline’s North American flight schedule stems from the need to better deploy capacity and cope with rising operational costs, exacerbated by ongoing airspace restrictions. As part of a larger restructuring plan, the airline will focus on scaling up its operations from Delhi to key North American cities. This includes an increase in the number of weekly flights between Delhi and San Francisco from seven to ten and a similar increase for Delhi-Toronto services.

For passengers with existing bookings on the Bengaluru-San Francisco and Mumbai-San Francisco routes, Air India has assured them that they will either be re-accommodated on alternative services or be offered a full refund. The airline has also expressed its intent to reinstate the direct flight services to San Francisco from both Bengaluru and Mumbai should airspace restrictions ease in the future.

Passenger Concerns: What Happens to Existing Bookings?

The news of flight cancellations has left many passengers uncertain about their travel plans. Many had booked months in advance to avoid last-minute changes, only to find themselves in a difficult situation. One such traveler, sharing their concerns on X (formerly Twitter), wrote, “I have flights booked on BLR-SFO (with return) in May and DEL-SFO (with return) on May 26. What do I do now?” Others raised questions about the rationale behind the airline’s decision, especially since the Bengaluru-San Francisco route was primarily operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which are known for their large seating capacity and long-range capabilities.

“This change has caught us by surprise. We specifically booked these flights months ago to avoid last-minute hassles. Now everything feels uncertain,” said Nakul Tirtha, a Bengaluru-based tech professional. For many passengers, this sudden alteration has caused stress and frustration, particularly as they face a potential disruption in their carefully planned schedules.

A Blow to Tech and Business Travelers

The discontinuation of the direct San Francisco flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai is likely to have the greatest impact on the tech industry and business travelers. These nonstop connections were a critical link to the West Coast, home to major tech hubs such as Silicon Valley. Tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives, who regularly travel between India and the U.S. for work, are now left grappling with the challenge of finding alternative routes or adjusting their schedules.

The absence of these direct flights means passengers will need to rely on connecting flights through other cities, such as Delhi or even Dubai, which could add significant travel time and lead to greater inconvenience. This will particularly affect the business community in Bengaluru, where the tech industry is booming and a large number of professionals regularly commute between India and the U.S.

Air India’s Expanded Delhi Services: A Potential Solution?

While the withdrawal of direct flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai is undoubtedly a setback for many, Air India’s expanded services from Delhi could offer some relief to affected passengers. With the increase in Delhi-San Francisco flights, passengers who were originally booked on the Bengaluru and Mumbai routes may be able to find suitable connections through Delhi. However, this is not a perfect solution, as it requires additional travel time and may not be ideal for those with tight schedules or specific travel requirements.

Furthermore, as the airline increases its Delhi-Toronto services, this may help to alleviate some of the demand that was initially being met by the Bengaluru and Mumbai routes. Still, many business travelers have voiced concerns that these expanded services will not fully compensate for the loss of direct flights from two major Indian cities.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Air India’s U.S. Routes

For now, the future of nonstop flights to San Francisco from Bengaluru and Mumbai remains uncertain. Air India has expressed hope that airspace restrictions will ease, allowing the airline to reinstate these services in the future. While this may be comforting to some, it does little to address the immediate disruption faced by passengers who have already made plans to travel after February 28.

As the airline works to adjust its schedules and make up for lost capacity, many are left wondering whether these changes will become permanent or whether Air India will eventually bring back the direct flights to the U.S. West Coast. For now, passengers affected by this cancellation will have to adjust their travel plans, hoping that the airline will honor its commitment to reintroducing these services once conditions improve.

Conclusion: The Ripple Effect on Indian Business Travel

Air India’s decision to pull back nonstop services between Bengaluru, Mumbai, and San Francisco signals a larger trend in the aviation industry—how airlines are adapting to rising costs and regulatory challenges. Unfortunately, for business travelers and tech professionals, this change represents a significant setback. With the growing demand for direct international flights and the need for more convenient connections, it remains to be seen whether Air India will be able to fully compensate for this loss by expanding operations elsewhere or improving other routes.