American Airlines' India nonstops from Seattle are now on sale
American Airlines has set the date for its return to India with new nonstop service to the technology hub of Bangalore.
The Oneworld alliance carrier will begin daily service between Seattle/Tacoma (SEA) and Bangalore (BLR) on Oct. 25, according to Cirium schedules and confirmed by American. Tickets for the flights on Boeing 787-9 jets, which are outfitted with 30 business class, 21 premium economy, 36 extra-legroom economy and 198 economy seats, are now on sale.
American last served India in 2012 when it ended flights between Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Delhi (DEL).
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
American's new Bangalore flights are part of a renewed partnership with Alaska Airlines. As part of the pact, the carriers are codesharing on both domestic and international flights from Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle -- Alaska's hometown -- and stopped a planned roll back of their previously relationship due to occur on March 1.
"Seattle is really the only market we see from the U.S. that can fly Bangalore and make it a success," American senior vice president of network strategy Vasu Raja told TPG in February. He added that the flight will benefit from codeshare connections to more than 350 Alaska-operated flights from Seattle.
When asked about the return to the market, Raja described the U.S.-India market as "much more mature" today than when American ended service to Delhi.
Related: Alaska Airlines plans to join Oneworld, forms alliance with American
American is set up for a potential robust international expansion in 2020. The airline's first-ever service to Africa connecting its Philadelphia (PHL) hub and a fellow Oneworld hub Casablanca (CMN) begins in June, and it will return to Tel Aviv (TLV) from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) in September.
Storm clouds, however, are looming. American has suspended flights to China, Hong Kong (HKG) and Milan (MXP) amid a drop in demand as fears of COVID-19, a disease in the coronavirus family, have risen. The spread of the disease in the U.S. has raised concerns that a similar drop in demand could occur domestically as well
American, prior to the coronavirus-related fears, had planned to grow system capacity by 4-5% year-over-year in 2020.
Related: Could the coronavirus end the decade-long U.S. airline expansion?
Now that the route is on sale, travelers hoping to fly on one of American's first Bangalore flights can price out itineraries.
A November round-trip from Seattle to Bangalore and back showed coach fares beginning at $1,376 and premium economy fares of $2,026. Business-class seats were going for $5,119 and up, according to a search of American's website. A spot check of fares on connecting itineraries showed slightly lower coach and premium economy fares, though business-class fares tended to track a bit higher.
Frequent flyers looking for award space will likely find plentiful coach and premium economy availability, though business-class was spottier except for on connecting itineraries that route a traveler over Seattle to Bangalore.
Economy tickets to Bangalore from Seattle begin at 40,000 miles each way, while MileSAAver business fares are available for 70,000 miles each way. Anytime business awards priced between 155,000 and 180,000 miles each way during November.
More:The 10 longest (and 10 shortest) American Airlines flights
American customers hoping to redeem systemwide upgrades to move to business class also should find plenty of upgrade space, according to a TPG look at American's flight schedule.
Contributing: Zach Griff, TPG
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.