Good news! Air India starts direct flights to San Francisco

Air India launched direct flights from New Delhi-San Francisco from December 2. This is the first-ever non-stop flight from India’s national capital to the popular tech city.

The flight AI 173 from New Delhi with 230 passengers on board landed here at 5:40 AM with airport traffic control tower lit in the Indian tricolour to welcome the maiden Air India flight to the city. The passengers applauded when the aircraft touched down.

"It is a remarkable day and today is a great day for Air India," said Indian Consul General Venkatesan Ashok.

The city mayor's office declared this day as 'Air India Day', a symbolic gesture to celebrate the arrival of the first direct flight from India here.

The flight offers a 3-cabin configuration, with 8 seats in First Class, 35 in Business Class and 195 in Economy Class.

Now, Indians working in Silicon Valley will be able to fly directly from San Francisco to New Delhi and vice-versa.

In a bid to welcome Air India, US' San Francisco International Airport (SFO) had launched a contest, titled #NonstopAirIndia.