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AI173 DEL-SFO uses a strange routing to produce a slightly longer distance than QR921 AKL-DOH -- literally, it's routed to be just 50 miles longer by distance flown.

But by time in the air QR921 is still the longest flight in the world (17 hours 30 minutes, compared to Air India's 16 hours 55 minutes). Five other flights also are scheduled for 17 hours or longer in the air: EK449 AKL-DXB; UA1 and SQ31 SFO-SIN; QF8 DFW-SYD; and AA125 DFW-HKG.

> It's especially popular with elderly travellers, as there's no hassle of transit.

That, and the fact that there are a lot of Indian elderly who make the Delhi-San Francisco flight regularly to visit children who work in the Bay Area.

That makes a lot of sense. I was wondering why the demand for that route would be large enough for a daily non stop flight.

Yeah, I wish Air India had more international flights at a reasonable price.