That’s a truly inspiring and record-setting moment in Indian aviation history! Here’s a polished and detailed version of the event:
Departure: 9 January 2021 from San Francisco, California, USA
Arrival: 11 January 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
The flight was operated entirely by an all-woman cockpit crew:
Captain Zoya Aggarwal
Captain Papagari Thanmai
Captain Shivani Manhas
Captain Akansha Sonaware
Route: San Francisco to Bengaluru — via the North Pole
Distance: Approximately 16,000 km
Flying Time: Around 17 hours
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
- Longest Commercial Flight Operated by an Indian Airline – A record-breaking non-stop ultra-long-haul flight.
- First Indian Flight Operated by Women Pilots Over the North Pole – Symbolic of progress in gender equality and aviation excellence.
- All-Woman Crew at the Helm – A global statement about the growing role of women in aviation, particularly in leadership and technical roles.
- Strategic and Technical Feat – Flying over the North Pole requires extensive training and preparation, especially due to limited alternate airports and challenging weather conditions.
A pioneer in Indian aviation, Zoya Aggarwal has previously made headlines as one of the youngest women pilots to fly a Boeing 777 and is known for advocating for women in STEM and aviation.
