Connecting Continents: The Top Five Longest Nonstop Flights Between India and the USA

India and the United States are connected by several long-haul flights, with the longest routes linking major Indian cities to either the West Coast (San Francisco) or New York City (JFK and Newark). These routes are predominantly operated by Air India, which transported over 1 million passengers to the US in 2023. As the world’s most populous country, India’s growing demand for air travel is evident in these extensive connections. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, the five longest nonstop flights from the US to India are listed below.

5. Delhi to San Francisco

The fifth-longest route between the US and India is the 7,706-mile flight from San Francisco to Delhi. New Delhi, India’s capital, boasts a metropolitan population of approximately 33 million, while the Bay Area is home to nearly 10 million people. This route is served by Air India, with 44 operations and 12,022 seats available. The journey takes around 15 hours and 30 minutes.

Despite being India’s largest airline by passenger volume, IndiGo does not operate these long-haul international flights, focusing instead on domestic and regional travel within Asia and the Middle East. The absence of US-based airlines on this route is partly due to geopolitical tensions; specifically, the reciprocal airspace bans between Russia and Western nations following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine have affected route planning.

4. Mumbai to John F. Kennedy (NYC)

Air India operates the 7,797-mile nonstop flight from Mumbai, India’s financial hub, to JFK, the busiest US airport for international flights. With 31 operations and 10,168 seats, this route ranks fourth among the longest. Mumbai, comparable to New York City in its financial prominence, has a significant metropolitan population and continues to use the old airport code “BOM” from its former name, Bombay. Air India serves this route with Boeing 777 aircraft, with a flight time of 17 hours and 25 minutes.

3. Mumbai to Newark Airport (NJ)

The 7,806-mile flight from Mumbai to Newark Liberty International Airport is the third-longest route, with 13 operations and 4,264 seats. Newark, located in New Jersey, is part of the New York metropolitan area. Air India uses its Boeing 777 fleet for this 14-hour and 35-minute journey. The Boeing 777-200LR, known for its long-range capability, is one of the few aircraft suitable for such extensive flights, although newer models like the Airbus A350 XWB Ultra Long Range have surpassed its range.

2. Mumbai to San Francisco

At 8,401 miles, the route from Mumbai to San Francisco is the second-longest flight between India and the US and ranks 16th among the world’s longest nonstop flights. Air India operates this route with a flight time of 16 hours and 5 minutes, offering 18 operations and 5,184 seats. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the second busiest in India for total and international passenger traffic, after Delhi. Air India’s expansion in North America includes over 500 return flights to the US and Canada.

1. Bangalore to San Francisco

The longest nonstop flight from the US to India is the 8,691-mile route from Bangalore to San Francisco, connecting two major tech hubs. Known as India’s Silicon Valley, Bangalore parallels the Bay Area’s famed Silicon Valley. Air India operates this route with Boeing 777 aircraft, featuring 13 to 14 operations and 4,032 to 3,744 seats. The flight lasts 17 hours and 55 minutes, making it one of the longest nonstop flights globally. Singapore Airlines’ JFK to Singapore flight is the only scheduled commercial flight with a longer duration at 18 hours and 50 minutes. Other routes, such as Qatar’s Auckland to Doha flight, cover greater distances but have shorter flight times.

In summary, the top five longest flights between the US and India reflect the increasing air travel demand between these populous nations. Air India’s substantial presence on these routes highlights its strategic role in connecting major Indian and US cities, despite the complexities introduced by geopolitical factors and airline operational constraints.