8 Hours in the Air, Back to Delhi: Air India Flight Returns After Mid-Air Technical Snag

By Amandeep Singh

Air India’s Delhi–San Francisco flight AI173 was forced to return to the national capital on Wednesday after a technical snag was detected mid-air, prompting the aircraft to turn back from Chinese airspace as a precautionary safety measure.

The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying around 230 passengers, had already been airborne for over three hours before reversing course, eventually spending more than eight hours in the air before landing safely in Delhi.

In a statement, Air India said the aircraft was brought back in line with standard safety procedures and will now undergo a detailed technical inspection. The airline did not reveal the exact nature of the issue.

The airline also said alternative travel arrangements are being made for passengers, including hotel accommodation, refreshments and rescheduling options, while expressing regret over the inconvenience caused.