Air India: flying towards the future with the New A350 and cabin revolution
Added on Mon January 15th, 2024
Air India is undergoing a momentous transformation in 2023, starting with the arrival of the first A350-900 featuring entirely new interiors and Business Class suites. This is part of a $400 million upgrade project for its 43 long-haul aircraft, which includes an order for 470 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. The airline, privatized in 2022, aims to dominate the skies for the next 50 years, a goal already started with a rebranding that includes a new logo and livery.
The new A350-900 is a key component of the cabin overhaul, with its maiden flight scheduled AI350 for January 22, operating the route from Bangalore to Mumbai. Air India’s private parent company, Tata Group, seeks to position the airline as a global leader, though it faces competition from Middle Eastern carriers.
The new leadership has planned a complete overhaul of the lounge and onboard experience, coupled with a revamping of the route network, including expansion to North America and Europe, as well as the launch of direct flights to Melbourne, Australia.
Initial images of the interior reveal a three-class cabin configuration with a total of 316 seats. This includes 28 fully reclining bed suites in Business Class, 24 seats with extra legroom in Premium Economy, and 264 seats in Economy. With the introduction of the new widebody aircraft, Air India has abandoned previous Business configurations (2+2+2 or 2+3+2) in favour of a uniform 1+2+1 layout, allowing all passengers aisle access.
The new A350s feature 28 Collins Aerospace Horizon seats with sliding doors and personal wardrobes. Each seat is 56 centimetres wide and can convert into a 198-centimeter-long bed. An onboard experience is completed with a 21-inch HD screen. Early feedback on Air India’s new cabins is generally positive, especially regarding the addition of Business Class Suites with fully lockable doors, providing a high level of privacy. Premium Economy has also received approval from customers, experts, and analysts. However, concerns have been raised about combination of colours in Business Class, described as disharmonious and aesthetically unappreciated. The real test for Air India will now be the quality of service on the ground and onboard. Despite the redesign of aircraft and interiors, the airline’s success will depend on its ability to deliver a high-quality, comfortable travel experience while addressing critical issues that have been considered weaknesses in the past.
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