✈️ Flight Guide: San Francisco (SFO) → Mumbai (BOM)

February offers cultural highlights on both ends of the SFO–BOM route. In Mumbai, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (typically held in February) showcases galleries, street performances, and food experiences near South Mumbai—make hotel and transport reservations early if your BOM arrival coincides with the festival. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Chinese New Year parades and celebrations often occur in February, making SFO departures lively. If you’re connecting via European or Gulf hubs, check those city calendars too for vibrant layover experiences.

February is often one of the best months to fly SFO to BOM because Mumbai enjoys dry, mild weather ideal for sightseeing and outdoor events, while San Francisco sees fewer tourist crowds after the winter holidays. Shoulder-season fares are frequently available in February between peak winter travel and spring break; booking 6–10 weeks ahead typically yields the best combinations of price and schedule options. If your trip is flexible, target mid-February weekdays for lower fares and smoother airport experiences.

Direct (nonstop) SFO to BOM flights minimize travel time—typically around 16–17 hours—and simplify connections, but they can be more expensive or offered seasonally. Connecting itineraries through Gulf or European hubs often reduce cash fares and increase schedule options, though total travel time may extend to 20–26 hours. For February travel, evaluate your priorities: choose nonstop for speed and fewer disruptions; choose connecting for lower prices and potentially better award availability.

Major carriers for SFO–BOM travel in February include airlines that offer seasonal nonstops or one-stop itineraries via their hubs: United and Air India (potential nonstops or codeshares, depending on the season), Emirates (via DXB), Qatar Airways (via DOH), British Airways (via LHR), and Turkish Airlines (via IST). Gulf carriers often provide strong price-to-service value with modern widebody fleets and competitive award space. Choose based on whether you prioritize nonstop convenience (if available), lower fare with a single connection, or premium cabin comfort for the long-haul sector.

Pack lightweight layers for arriving in Mumbai (daytime highs typically pleasant in February) and a waterproof jacket for potentially rainy, cool San Francisco departures. Manage jet lag with timed sleep on the flight and exposure to daylight upon arrival—consider a flight that arrives BOM in the evening to align with local sleep cycles. Carry essential medications, a copy of your e-visa, and electronic chargers/plug adapters for India. For festival travel in February, book hotels near central festival areas in advance and allow extra time for local traffic after arrival.

Nonstop flight options between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), when available, typically take about 16–17 hours of block time. One-stop itineraries via hubs such as Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), London (LHR), or Istanbul (IST) commonly range from 20 to 26 hours, depending on layover length. In February, airlines may operate seasonal schedules with late-night or red-eye departures from SFO to align with arrival windows in Mumbai; use the airline timetable or booking engine to confirm exact flight days and timings.

To secure cheap SFO to BOM flights in February, use flexible date searches to identify the lowest midweek fares and set price alerts for a 6–10 week lead time. Consider one-stop itineraries via Gulf carriers (Emirates, Qatar Airways) or European carriers to save money; these often offer competitive fares compared with limited nonstops. Use incognito searches, clear cookies, and compare meta-search engines with airline sites to validate the lowest available fares. Join frequent flyer programs and use credit card miles or partner redemptions for additional savings. If you can be flexible on departure/return dates and accept a longer connection, you can often shave several hundred dollars off peak-season prices.