Air India debuted its brand-new Airbus A350-900 — the country’s first A350 aircraft — on January 22 (Monday), with an eye on “elevating passenger experience” and opening up new expansion opportunities.
“Delighted to unveil the long-haul, wide-body Airbus A350 of @airindia at #WingsIndia2024. This state-of-the-art aircraft will elevate the travel experience of passengers, enable fuel efficiency and provide a significant uplift to Indian Aviation in both domestic and international sectors,” civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). As The Indian Express reported earlier, the A350 flight will initially operate on domestic routes and will be opened up for international journeys later this year.
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“Starting mid-2024, when our A350-900 enters international commercial operations, enjoy premium amenities, all-new chinaware, cutlery, glassware and sustainable bedding refresh, across our long-haul aircraft,” Air India said on X. The aircraft will have a three-class cabin configuration, namely business, premium economy, and economy.
Here’s a look at the interior of the business class in the newly-launched aircraft:
Each business class suite will have direct aisle access and a sliding privacy door. (Express Photo by Sukalp Sharma)
The business class on the aircraft features 28 private suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. (Express Photo by Sukalp Sharma)
Each business class suite will have seats that convert to full-sized beds, and each is accompanied by a personal wardrobe and stowage space. (Express Photo by Sukalp Sharma)
The airline has also introduced new bed linen, blankets, chinaware, and glassware and cutlery. (Photo credit: Air India)
Business class seats also come with amenity kits by Italian luxury fashion house Ferragamo. (Photo credit: Air India)
Here’s a look at the interior of the premium economy class:
Meanwhile, each premium economy cabin is equipped with 24 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. (Express Photo by Sukalp Sharma)
Each premium economy seat has a four-way adjustable headrest and legrest, and comes with a 13.3-inch HD touchscreen. (Express Photo by Sukalp Sharma)
Those flying premium economy will get amenity kits from the US-based travel brand Tumi. (Photo credit: Air India)
The A350 is the first aircraft to sport Air India’s new livery and brand identity. (Photo credit: Air India)
Here’s a look at the interior of the economy class:
The aircraft’s economy cabin has 264 seats in a 3-4-3 configuration. (Express Photo by Sukalp Sharma)
Each seat in the economy cabin has 31 inches of seat pitch, 17.5 inches of seat width, 6 inches of recline, a 4-way adjustable headrest, and a 12-inch HD touchscreen. (Express Photo by Sukalp Sharma)
Economy class fliers on ultra-long-haul flights will also be provided with amenity kits. (Express Photo by Sukalp Sharma)
The first flight of wide-body A350 aircraft took off from Mumbai airport to Chennai on Monday. “Air India flight AI-589 took off from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday for Chennai, with a full-capacity load of passengers,” as per an official statement.
It will initially ply along the metro routes — Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabadand Mumbai.