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.
“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, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.