India’s aviation landscape is set for a significant transformation as Air India eagerly awaits the arrival of its first Airbus A350-900, scheduled for tomorrow, September 23. This milestone marks a fresh chapter for the Tata-owned airline, which has been teasing the event with a “Coming Soon” video, promising new stories, routes, experiences, and more.
In anticipation of the A350’s arrival, Air India shared updates on its journey, revealing that the aircraft embarked on its first ferry flight from Singapore to Toulouse, donning the airline’s new livery. The vibrant new colors symbolize a revitalized era for Air India, showcasing its commitment to modernity and excellence in air travel.
The airline’s ambitious expansion plans come to the forefront with an order for a total of 40 Airbus A350 aircraft, comprising six A350-900s and 34 A350-1000s. With the first A350-900 set to join the fleet in December 2023, Air India is expected to receive the remaining five A350-900s by March 2024.
While the airline is yet to finalize the routes for the A350 aircraft, initial plans involve deploying them on domestic routes for crew familiarization. The A350-900’s impressive cabin design boasts a spacious three-class layout, featuring 28 private Business Class suites, 24 Comfort Class seats, and 264 Economy Class seats. Passengers can look forward to state-of-the-art amenities, including the Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, HD screens, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Air India’s A350-900 business class will offer 28 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring direct aisle access from all business class seats. Premium economy will adopt a 2-4-2 configuration, while the economy class will follow a 3-3-3 configuration.
As Air India embarks on this exciting venture, the aviation community and travel enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the airline’s enhanced offerings and services, aligning with its vision for a dynamic and modernized air travel experience.
