NEW DELHI :
Vistara is in talks with Boeing Co. to modify 787-9 Dreamliner jets it is set to induct over the next two years by adding a resting room for crews, allowing the airline to mount direct long-haul flights to the US and other countries, said two people with direct knowledge of the matter.
The carrier—a joint venture between Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd and Singapore Airlines Ltd—has so far received two of six 787-9 Dreamliners it ordered in 2018 to operate medium- and long-haul international flights. It took delivery of the first plane in February 2020, and the rest are slated to join by 2023.
Vistara currently flies the two wide-body Dreamliners to select international destinations, including London, as well as on domestic routes. Vistara also has an option to order four more 787-9 planes.
“The airline’s current Boeing 787-9 fleet, however, can’t be used to fly long-haul since these don’t have provisions for carrying an extra set of pilots,” said one of the two people cited above, on condition of anonymity. Having rest compartments will allow the airline to carry an extra set of pilots needed for direct long-haul flights.
Vistara is in talks with Boeing to add a crew resting compartment in some 787-9 planes it will receive in the next few years, which will let the carrier start non-stop flights on long-haul routes, the second person cited above said.
“The Boeing 787-9 is integral to the airline’s plan to fly long-haul,” the person said.
National carrier Air India Ltd is the only other airline in the country to have wide-body planes capable of long-haul flights. Air India operates direct flights to Australia and the US.
The 787-9 Dreamliner has a flying range of 13,950km and can carry up to 296 passengers in a two-class configuration, according to Boeing’s website. Vistara planes have a three-class configuration comprising economy, premium economy…