Originally Posted by Doppy
Is there really a big time savings to taking this AI route versus, say, Cathay?
SFO-HKG-BOM is 9570 miles. If there's any layover, HKG is a great place to have one.
SFO-LAX-FRA-BOM is 10208 miles. Farther (though not by much), but you also have layovers in LAX (a terrible place for a layover) and in FRA.
Yes typically, you leave Day 1 and land in India Day 2 very late if going East.
If going west, you land in HKG late Day 2 (to use your example) and don't get to India until early Day 3.
In other words, it's typically about ~10-12 hours more travel time going west due to connection timings, wind, etc.