Flown by four women pilots, the first non-stop flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru landed at Bengaluru airport at 3.07 am on Monday.
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. Air India Captain Zoya Agarwal, commanded the flight over North Pole.
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." It was the first direct non-stop flight between the west coast of the United States and southern India.
Flown by four women pilots, the first non-stop flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru landed at Kempegowda International airport in Bengaluru at 3.07 am on Monday, flying over the North Pole and covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometers. The flight was operated by an all-women cockpit crew of Captain Zoya Aggarwal (P1), Captain Papagari Thanmai (P1), Captain Akansha Sonaware (P2) and Captain Shivani Manhas (P2), who responded to the cheers and clapping by showing the thumbs-up sign.
The longest flight over the North Pole is another feather in Captain Zoya's cap as she was the youngest woman pilot to fly a Boeing-777 in 2013. She became the first woman commander of Air India to command flight over the North Pole. Though Air India pilots have flown over polar route earlier also, it is for the first time a team women pilots flew over the North Pole.
1. Air India's all-women pilot team flew over North Pole
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An all-women pilot team of Air India flew over North Pole on the world's longest air route. Captain Zoya Aggarwal commanded the flight over North Pole. The longest flight over the North Pole is another feather in Captain Zoya's cap as she was the youngest woman pilot to fly a Boeing-777 in 2013. She became the first woman commander of Air India to command flight over the North Pole.
(Image Source: ANI)
2. Air India gave responsibilities to a woman captain for first time
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Air India gave responsibilities to a woman captain for the journey from San Fransico to Bengaluru via polar route for the first time. Flying through the North Pole is very challenging and airline companies send their best and experienced pilots on this route.
(Image Source: Twitter/@HardeepSPuri)
3. They were greeted by cheers and clapping
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The flight was operated by an all-women cockpit crew of Captain Zoya Aggarwal (P1), Captain Papagari Thanmai (P1), Captain Akansha Sonaware (P2) and Captain Shivani Manhas (P2), who responded to the cheers and clapping by showing the thumbs-up sign.
(Image Source: Twitter/@HardeepSPuri)
4. First time women pilots flew over North Pole
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Though Air India pilots have flown over polar route earlier also, it is for the first time a team of women pilots flew over the North Pole.
(Image Source: Twitter/@HardeepSPuri)
5. Non-stop flight between United States and southern India
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It was the first direct non-stop flight between the west coast of the United States and southern India. It took almost 17 hours to reach Bengaluru from San Fransico.
(Image Source: Twitter/@HardeepSPuri)
6. Boeing 777-200LR capable of connecting any two points on globe
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The aircraft Boeing 777-200LR is one that is capable of connecting any two points on the globe and which is why this was the longest flight to India by any Indian carrier. And Captain Zoya Aggarwal was the first woman pilot to fly over the North Pole and the youngest woman pilot in India to do so.
(Image Source: ANI)
7. First non-stop flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru
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Flown by four women pilots, the first non-stop flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru landed at Kempegowda International airport in Bengaluru at 3.07 am on Monday, flying over the North Pole and covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometers.
(Image Source: Twitter/@HardeepSPuri)
