American Airlines Non-Stop to India, 2006

Sama

One of my yoga students is a pilot for American Airlines. He told me yesterday that in 2006, American Airlines will start flying direct, non-stop, to India, although he did not know to which cities yet. He said American has just finished negotiations with India regarding air space, etc. and that AA has jets that can fly non-stop to India (no re-fueling), 17 hours. He said AA already flys non-stop to Shanghai. My student flys to London every weekend so he knows the international flying biz!

Just thought y'all would like to know -- start counting those AA frequent flyer miles!

peace!

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claurianta

AA does not in fact already serve Shanghai non-stop. That will start in about a year. Source: <http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/11684958.htm>

As for AA flying to India, luckily the new US-India air traffic treaty is very liberal, so it definitely possible it will happen.

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crvlvr

The following airlines already have non-stop flights:

Delta: NY - Chennai
Air India: LA-Delhi, LA - Mumbai (Not-non stop but "Direct" as Air India calls it)
UA: Chicago - Delhi
Continental: NY - Delhi (Oct 2005)

Unfortunately, none of these airlines are among the best rated long haul airlines (that includes AA).

Sama

which is why I am flying Lufthansa on Sept. 2.
but let's see......AA to India, non-stop, on frequent flyer miles or Lufthansa, priced anywhere from $1200-$2300 from Chicago? Hmmmmmm...............

crvlvr

I agree. Lufthansa, with the 45min stop over in Frankfurt is almost like a non-stop flight. I prefer the stop as it gives you a few minutes to freshen up and strech you legs.. From the US, currently Lufthansa has the best routing. But its always about $200 more expensive than the best deal.

GoanCanuck

Are you sure the Air India flight from Delhi/Mumbai to LA is non-stop? I was under the impression that it stopped at Frankfurt?

crvlvr

ooops.. I went back re-read carefully. Air Claims the flights, are "Direct and not does not require change of aircraft at transit point". I assumed they were non-stop but they are not.. Its misleading to call a flight "Direct" when it actually stops over.. But then thats Air India..

Shaktipalooza

I don't believe UA ever actually initiated the direct service from Chicago to Delhi.

The route was scheduled to start just after 9/11. I had one of the first flights booked and it was canceled entirely post 9/11. Apparently the flight path took you over afghanistan which still has some issues that need to be resolved...

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skell

I think all the airlines use those terms. But you're not the first to be fooled by them, and you won't be the last! It helps to check the flight time. Some 'direct' flights actually go way out of the way, but as long as you don't have to change planes, it still qualifies as direct.

docgirl2005

Wow I cant believe Delta flies from NY to Chennai non stop. Are you guys sure about that? I mean I usually take British Airways, I absolutely love it and it stops in London and I catch the connection to Chennai. I am going to check Deltas website now..Thanks!

rv224

The Delta - Chennai flight is legit. It's brand new - just started flying in May 2005.

claurianta

The Delta-Chennai flight stops in Paris. It's a direct flight, on the same plane, but it needs to stop in Paris for fuel, and to drop off/let on passengers.

The only non-stops from North America to India are Air Canada from Toronto to Delhi, and the upcoming (in October) Continental from Newark to Delhi. ALL other flights from North America are not non-stop, but rather direct, meaning it's the same plane all the way, but you stop somewhere in Europe on the way.

lotus blossom

You're right Shaktipalooza. United stopped flights to india after 9.11 due to politics. I was scheduled to fly outta here Sept 13 but it was also cancelled.

I use United's star alliance, which is the choice of seven different affiliate airlines. I just flew Singapore Air to india and loved them!

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dzibead

Or somewhere in Asia.

skell

I loved Singapore Airlines too, but I hope you have better luck than I did getting mileage credit from United. My trip was last November and December and I'm battling with them for the mileage.