Air India commenced its first ever non-stop flight operations between Delhi and Silicon Valley hub, San Francisco. With the commencement of this flight, Air India became the first airline to offer direct connections from India to the west coast of the United States. Flight AI 173, a B777-200LR aircraft took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi with 230 passengers at 0235 hours. Starting its journey from Bengaluru, the flight will travel non-stop from Delhi to San Francisco and passengers travelling to San Francisco will undergo customs and immigration formalities at Bengaluru airport for their onward journey. Flight AI-173 from Bengaluru to Delhi will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Bengaluru at 2115 hours with A321 aircraft.