Air India has started operating San Francisco – Delhi, and it’s almost one of the world’s longest flights.

The flight operates 3 days a week in each direction, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. And award availability is very good for 2 passengers. It’s wide open for two passengers in business class, and even in first class which is surprising because Air India usually only opens award space for 1 passenger in first.

It’s interesting to have a look at the United award availability calendar showing premium cabin award seats San Francisco – Delhi for 2 passengers available nearly every day.

Since the Air India flight is only 3 days a week, the rest of the space is obviously not Air India. Generally speaking it’s Turkish, San Francisco – Istanbul. For business class I’d probably actually take the Turkish flight even with a connection given a better seat and food and their fantastic lounge in Istanbul.

The Turkish flight is also useful for European travel as well as to the Mideast, and depending on the program you’re booking through potentially to Asia or Africa as well.

Air India isn’t really anyone’s first choice aside from price and schedule, except for this guy who flies Air India because he loves connecting in India so much. Though anyone that’s made a visa-free international-to-international connection in India has their most interesting experiences on the ground rather than in the air.

Air India’s first class, points-allowing, would be my preferred inflight product over Turkish business. Air India business class is angled, while their first class is of course fully flat.

Probably the most relevant programs for most readers are United MileagePlus (not least because they are a Chase transfer partner), Aeroplan (an American Express partner whose points transfer instantly), and Avianca LifeMiles (because they so frequently sell miles so cheap).

Here’s pricing:

• Aeroplan: 75,000 miles each way for business class, 105,000 miles each way for first class. These prices don’t change December 15. And there are no fuel surcharges on Air India awards through Aeroplan.
  

• Avianca LifeMiles: 81,000 miles each way for business class, 108,000 miles each way for first class.

• United MileagePlus: 80,000 miles each way for business class, 140,000 miles each way for first class.

(HT: Milecards)