New Delhi, April 20, 1960 — Air India soared into a new era on 20 April 1960, as it entered the jet age with its Boeing 707 aircraft, Gauri Shankar, making its maiden jet-powered flight to London, UK. This marked a transformative moment in Indian aviation, offering faster, more efficient long-distance travel.
Just weeks later, on 14 May 1960, Gauri Shankar accomplished another milestone by flying to New York, USA, making India the first Asian country to operate a transatlantic flight—a feat that placed Air India on the global aviation map.
The aircraft remained in service for over two decades before it was written off following a landing accident in Bombay (now Mumbai, Maharashtra) on 22 June 1982.
Though Gauri Shankar no longer flies, its legacy continues to inspire as a symbol of India’s bold entry into the modern age of aviation.
