GURUGRAM- Air India (AI) is poised to reintroduce first-class seats on its large, wide-body Airbus A350-1000 planes, signaling its intent to capture premium travelers in key global markets.
With a growing fleet of 202 aircraft, including 67 wide-body planes, Air India is investing in both new acquisitions and retrofitting projects. The airline is targeting high-demand routes and premium markets like London and New York with its upgraded offerings.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri | MumbaiPlanesAir India First Class on Airbus A350
Air India (AI) is reintroducing first class cabins on its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, a decision aimed at positioning the airline among global leaders in luxury travel.
According to Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, first class products remain relevant and are a hallmark of premium airlines on prominent routes.
The A350-1000s, scheduled for delivery in the next two years, will feature these premium cabins, catering to the growing demand for direct, luxury travel between major cities.
Aggarwal highlighted the importance of first class as an “aspirational product” that defines the stature of an airline.
With capacities ranging from 325 to 400 seats, the A350-1000 and Boeing 777X aircraft will offer passengers a seamless luxury experience on ultra-long-haul routes.
The airline’s focus will include lucrative markets like London and New York, where demand for first-class services remains robust.
Photo: Robin HardyBIG PLANES BIGGER PLANS
Air India’s current wide-body fleet consists of 27 Boeing 777s, 40 Boeing 787s, and six Airbus A350s. Among these, legacy Boeing 777s and some leased aircraft already feature first-class cabins.
However, these planes are set to undergo retrofitting to align with the airline’s vision of delivering a consistent premium experience.
The retrofitting process will commence with Boeing 787s this year, while upgrades to legacy A320 neos are expected to conclude by mid-2025.
These improvements will extend to narrow-body aircraft, which account for 80% of Air India’s operations, ensuring a modern product for domestic and short-haul international passengers.
Despite setbacks, including technical issues and delays with its legacy Boeing 777s, Air India remains committed to optimizing this fleet. Aggarwal acknowledged the performance challenges but emphasized the airline’s strategic buffer system to mitigate disruptions.
While no immediate reduction in ultra-long-haul services is planned, future flight expansions depend on fleet performance and additional aircraft acquisitions.
The retrofit of legacy Boeing 777s will begin early next year, marking a significant step toward harmonizing older aircraft with newer standards.
Photo: Air IndiaAir India’s Future Plans
Acquiring wide-body aircraft remains a challenge due to market constraints. While Air India is open to leasing, Aggarwal noted the complexities of integrating leased planes into the fleet.
The airline expects deliveries from its recent orders to begin this year, with more arrivals in subsequent years, although specific numbers depend on Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) timelines.
To enhance customer retention, Air India is overhauling its corporate and loyalty offerings. The revamped “Maharaja Club,” which already boasts over 10.3 million members, will soon include Air India Express customers.
Corporate partnerships are also being expanded, particularly on metro routes, where corporate traffic accounts for 25% of the total.
The merger with Vistara has further bolstered Air India’s position, enabling better pricing and customer experiences across metro-to-metro routes.
Featured Image by Eurospot | X
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The post Air India First Class Coming on Airbus A350-1000 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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