QANTAS’ big red ‘roo tail is a welcome sight back at SFO (Photo: Peter Biaggi)
Bay Area travelers this month have a pair of welcome new nonstop options to Australia and India as carriers from those countries celebrated their inaugural trips to San Francisco International.
After a four-year hiatus, Qantas reactivated its Sydney-San Francisco non-stop route with an updated 747 that offers Business Class, Premium Economy and regular economy seating (no first class). Business Class has seats that recline fully flat, and the economy section offers self-serve snack bars.
Check out how QANTAS recently reconfigured its 747s to align with its A380 business class product here.
QANTAS business class seats recline to 180 degrees (Image: QANTAS)
QANTAS says that Business and Premium Economy passengers can enjoy a Ricotta, pea and prosciutto calzone, a dish is inspired by Chef Alice Waters from Chez Panisse in Berkeley. Business class passengers traveling to and from San Francisco will also be the first to experience Qantas’ new Kate Spade and Jack Spade amenity kits.
QANTAS does not have an airport lounge at SFO. Regrettably, its Oneworld partner Cathay Pacific does not have enough space in its gorgeous lounge, so QANTAS business class passengers get access to the KLM/Air France lounge on the A side of the international concourse.
Self service snack bars onboard QANTAS’ updated 747s (Photo: QANTAS)
The Australian carrier is initially flying the route four times a week, with westbound departures Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. It will increase to five a week in January, and to six a week starting in February. The flights are operated as part of Qantas’ joint venture with American Airlines.
DEAL ALERT: It is currently showing advance purchase economy fares starting as low as $999 roundtrip, while Premium Economy is priced from $2,999 and Business Class from $4,999. These introductory fares are available through December 31 at qantas.com/SFO
Air India’s first flight from New Delhi arrived at SFO before dawn. (Image: Peter Biaggi)
Earlier this month, Air India Flight 173 touched down at SFO as that carrier kicked off new non-stops from New Delhi with a 777-200LR. The 16-hour flight covers 7,670 miles. The airline originally planned to operate service between San Francisco and Bengaluru (Bangalore) in the southern part of India, but switched its plans to New Delhi instead.
Air India will fly the route three times a week, on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The 777 it uses has eight seats in first class, 35 in business class and 195 in economy. The San Francisco flights are Air India’s only service to the U.S. west coast; its other U.S. gateways include Chicago, New York JFK and Newark. According to media reports from India, the carrier now has its eye on new Washington D.C. service, but no timetable was mentioned.
Celebrating Air India’s arrival, employees fashioned a rangoli on the floor of the terminal. That’s a traditional art form using flowers or other natural materials, representing good luck and a welcome to Hindu deities. (Image: Peter Biaggi)
Officials cut the ribbon at SFO to mark Air India’s serv ice launch. (Image: Peter Biaggi)
Passenger check-in for the return to New Delhi. (Image: Peter Biaggi)
NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: New Oakland-London route + Big hotel acquisition + Uber at Las Vegas McCarran + American’s international Premium Economy service + Healthy eating for travelers
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