Air India has announced that it will suspend all non-stop flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai to San Francisco starting March 1, affecting a key air link between India and the United States and causing concern among passengers with future bookings.

The airline said the decision is part of a restructuring of its North American network, aimed at better utilisation of aircraft and managing higher operating costs. These costs have increased due to ongoing airspace restrictions, which have forced airlines to operate longer and more expensive routes.

As part of the revised schedule, Air India will increase flights from its Delhi hub. Services between Delhi and San Francisco will rise from seven to ten flights per week, while Delhi–Toronto services will also increase to ten flights per week. The airline has indicated that the suspended non-stop services from Bengaluru and Mumbai could be restored if airspace restrictions ease in the future.

The sudden cancellation of the two routes has created uncertainty for passengers who had booked tickets well in advance. Air India said that affected passengers would be re-accommodated on alternative flights or offered full refunds, and that it would reach out to customers directly.

However, many travellers have already taken to social media to seek clarity. Several passengers questioned the status of their upcoming trips, with some expressing concern over travel plans scheduled months ahead.

The suspension is expected to impact technology professionals and business travellers in particular, who make up a large share of passengers on these routes. The Bengaluru–San Francisco service, operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, has been an important direct connection between India’s technology hub and the US West Coast.

While the additional capacity from Delhi may help absorb some of the demand, the loss of direct flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai removes a convenient option for many travellers. Passengers and industry observers see the move as a setback for seamless connectivity between India’s major business centres and the United States.