Air India Unveils India's First Airbus A350 with New Livery
Air India, the prominent global airline of India, celebrated the arrival of its initial Airbus A350-900 aircraft, bearing the registration VT-JRA, adorned in the airline's distinctive new livery. This event signifies a pivotal moment in the airline's ongoing transformation narrative. The aircraft completed its journey from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France, to New Delhi, where it was warmly received by Air India representatives. The delivery flight, conducted under the special call sign AI350, had the presence of Air India's Senior Commander Capt. Monika Batra Vaidya, one of the early Indian pilots trained on the A350, who participated as an observer.
Air India is at the forefront of revitalizing Indian aviation by introducing the first new widebody fleet type in the country in over a decade. This achievement establishes Air India as the pioneer among Indian airlines to operate the A350. Notably, Air India had previously set the precedent in 2012 by being the first Indian airline to introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet type.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said, “This moment marks a red-letter day for all of us at Air India. The A350 is not just metal and engines; it’s the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airline’s continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks. It is also, in many ways, a declaration of Indian aviation’s resurgence on the world stage".
“As a symbol of the new age of flying, the A350 promises a world-class, long-haul travel experience on our non-stop routes, providing an unparalleled level of comfort. Its excellent flight economics and state-of-the-art technology underscore our dedication to commercially successful operations and to achieving our sustainability goals", Wilson added. Air India’s A350 will enter commercial service in January 2024, initially operating domestically for crew familiarisation, followed by longer-haul flying to destinations across continents. The schedule of commercial operations with the A350 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Air India’s A350-900 aircraft comes in a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace: 28 private Business Class suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and multiple other differentiating features, and 264 spacious Economy Class seats. All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens to provide a superior flying experience.
The recently delivered aircraft is the first among the 20 Airbus A350-900 ordered by Air India, and an additional five are slated for delivery by March 2024. In Air India's comprehensive order of 250 new aircraft from Airbus, there are firm commitments for 20 A350-1000 models. As part of its recent initiatives, the airline has introduced a refreshed global brand identity, including a new consumer-oriented website and mobile app. Additionally, Air India revealed its highly anticipated collection of new uniforms for cabin and cockpit crews, crafted by renowned Indian designer Manish Malhotra. The A350's entry into service will mark the debut of these stylish uniforms for Air India's cabin crew and pilots.
