Air India just flew around the world—and right into the record books: The Indian airline reports that it set a world record by flying a Boeing 777 from New Delhi to San Francisco and back with an all-female crew, just in time for International Women's Day on March 8.
"Air India scripted history by flying an all-women crew flight around the world," the airline announced in a statement on its Facebook page. Everyone involved in the takeoff and landing of the global flight (a total of eight different departments) was a woman, including the check-in ground staff, captains in the cockpit, the cabin crew, engineers who certified the aircraft, and air traffic controllers who cleared its arrival and departure, according to Air India.
The flight began its journey on February 27, departing from New Delhi to San Francisco for a 9,500-mile, 15-and-a-half-hour flight over the Pacific Ocean. After taking a mandatory rest period, the aircraft completed the second leg of its round-the-world flight—this time over the Atlantic—on March 3.
Facebook content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Members of the record-breaking female crew commemorated their historical trip in San Francisco with photographs and, naturally, selfies.
X content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
The flight is the latest accomplishment in a long line of strong feminist traditions by Air India: Last year, also in honor of International Women's Day, the airline operated 20 all-women-crewed flights domestically and internationally—including the same flight from New Delhi to San Francisco, making it (at the time) the longest flight ever to be staffed solely by women. Air India was also the first carrier to ever operate a domestic flight with an all-female crew more than 30 years ago, in 1985, from Calcutta to Silchar. Air India has applied to the Guinness Book of World Records for recognition for its latest female flying feat.
Related: Air India to Reserve Seats for Women Traveling Alone