Air India makes historic feat, all-women flight set to go on world’s longest route

Air India’s woman power flies high around the world.

All women cockpit crew consisting of Capt Zoya Aggarwal, Capt Papagari Thanmai, Capt Akansha Sonaware & Capt Shivani Manhas will operate the historic inaugural flight between Bengaluru & San Francisco.@airindiain @MoCA_GoI pic.twitter.com/HKT6IYo2Dw

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) January 9, 2021

Air India has always promoted the cause of empowering women. The Air India All-Women Pilot Squad is building history as they cover the longest air route on Saturday. The longest duration flight is to be flown for the first time. This will go on to be a record- breaking fight as it’s not just the pilots who are women but the entire 10-member crew are women. Even those who are not going to be on board like air traffic controllers etc are going to be operated by only women.

Air India Captain Zoya Agarwal will be in charge of inaugural flight AI176, which will span the longest aerial distance between San Francisco and Bengaluru.

For the first time today, an all-women pilot team will fly a flight from San Fransico to Bengaluru. Civil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted about the inaugural flight that will cover the longest aerial distance of 16,000 km.

The flight could pass over the North Pole, following the Atlantic route to Bengaluru, the airline’s senior official said. It is incredibly difficult, according to aviation specialists, to travel over the polar route.

The cumulative flight time on this route will be more than 17 hours based on the wind level on that particular day.

Captain Zoya will be flying the flight .The direct distance between the two cities at opposite ends of the world is 13,993 km, with a time zone difference of around 13.5 hours, Air India official said.

“I am extremely proud to have with me experienced women team comprising Captains Thanmai Papagari, Akanksha Sonawane and Shivani Manhas. This is the first time an all-women pilots team will fly over the North Pole and create a history of sorts. It’s indeed a dream come true for any professional pilot” said Captain Zoya
Capt Zoya will be the first Air India woman commander to fly over the challenging North Pole, adding another achievement to her name.

Earlier in 2013, she became the youngest woman to fly a Boeing-777.