In early 2020, American Airlines shared exciting plans for the first non-stop flight between Seattle and Bengaluru.
Fast forward nearly four years, and the launch is still on hold, leaving eager travelers waiting.
Originally set for takeoff in October 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a pause in operations, allowing only air bubble arrangement flights on international routes.
Despite the Ministry of Civil Aviation reopening international airspace on March 27, 2022, unexpected events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting U.S. ban on flying over Russian airspace kept the Seattle-Bengaluru route grounded.
American Airlines emphasizes that the safety of customers and team members is their top priority. As the route requires flying over airspace involved in a military conflict, they’ve indefinitely postponed the launch for caution’s sake.
An American Airlines spokesperson explained to The Hindu, “American Airlines has indefinitely postponed the launch of scheduled service between Seattle and Bengaluru, India. The safety of our customers and team members is America’s top priority. As this route requires flying through airspace currently involved in a military conflict, we postponed the flight out of an abundance of caution.”
Officials from Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) don’t see flights between the two cities starting soon. They believe it’s not practical for U.S. carriers to take a longer route, avoiding Russian airspace.
Back in February 2020, American Airlines had big plans, intending to operate a 285-seater Boeing 787-9 aircraft on this route. BIAL predicted the new route would provide passengers with easier and faster access to various U.S. destinations on a one-stop flight, including San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Denver, Arizona, Dallas, Chicago, and both West and East Coast states, eliminating multiple layovers.
In a surprising turn in 2021, Air India took the lead, becoming the first airline to run a non-stop flight between Bengaluru and the U.S. with its service to San Francisco. The fate of American Airlines’ ambitious route is uncertain, facing challenges on the global stage.
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