Flown by 4 Women Pilots, Air India’s Longest Direct Route Flight Lands in Bengaluru

NEW DELHI: In a historic move, Air India’s longest direct route flight with the all-women pilot team landed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru from San Francisco, flying over the North Pole and covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometers.
“Today, we created world history by not only flying over the North Pole but also by having all women pilots who successfully did it. We are extremely happy and proud to be part of it. This route has saved 10 tonnes of fuel,” said Captain Zoya Aggarwal.

Captain Zoya Aggarwal
Shivani Manhas, one of the four pilots who operated Air India’s inaugural San Francisco-Bengaluru flight said, “It was an exciting experience since it was never done before. It took almost 17 hours to reach here.”

Captain Shivani Manhas
Before the flight Union, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri reacted over the history in making and had said, “Air India’s woman power flies high around the world, our Nari Shakti achieves a historic first.”

In a moment to cherish & celebrate, women professionals of Indian civil aviation create history.Heartiest Congrat… https://t.co/iSv4wYemOm — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) 1610335607000

The flight number AI176 left San Francisco on Saturday 9th January 2021 at 8.30pm (local time) and arrived at 10th January 20201 , 3.07am, Air India tweeted today.

#FlyAI : Welcome Home Capt Zoya Agarwal, Capt Papagiri Thanmei, Capt Akanksha & Capt Shivani after completing a la… https://t.co/7PstiJXrT2 — Air India (@airindiain) 1610318521000

Air India hailed the women pilots completing a landmark journey and also congratulated the passengers of AI176 for being a part of this historic moment.
It was the longest commercial flight in the world to be operated by Air India or any other airline in India.

Captain Papagari Thanmai
It was also the first direct non-stop flight between the west coast of the United States and southern India.
The total flight time on this route was more than 17 hours depending on the wind speed, Air India had said in a statement on the eve of the historic flight.

Members of the crew were: Captain Zoya Aggarwal, Captain Papagari Thanmai, Captain Akansha Sonaware and Captain Shivani Manhas.

Source: TOI