BENGALURU, Jan 11: For the first time an all-women cockpit crew flew an Air India flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru, one of the longest air routes, arriving at the city's Kempegowda International Airport at 3.45 am (IST) on Monday.

The four women-Captains - Zoya Aggarwal, Papagari Thanmai, Akansha Sonaware and Shivani Manhas - who were inaugurating the flight route were greeted by a huge crowd that was waiting at the Kempegowda airport with cheers on their successful mission.

The Air India flight AI176 departed from San Francisco in the US at 8.30 pm (US local time) on Saturday and landed at the Kempegowda International Airport at 3.45 am (IST) on Monday. The plane flew over the North pole route. The flight duration was over 17 hours. The physical distance between the two cities at the farthest ponts on earth at opposite sides is 14,000 km.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted, "In a moment to cherish & celebrate, women professionals of Indian civil aviation create history. Heartiest Congratulations to Capt Zoya Aggarwal, Capt Papagari Thanmai, Capt Akansha Sonaware & Capt Shivani for flying over North Pole to land in Bengaluru from San Francisco."

"Welcome Home Capt Zoya Agarwal, Capt Papagari Thanmei, Capt Akanksha & Capt Shivani after completing a landmark journey with touchdown @BLRAirport. Kudos for making Air India proud. We also congratulate passengers of AI176 for being part of this historic moment," tweeted Air India.