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Air India receives country’s first Airbus A350
The A350 is slated to enter commercial service in January 2024
Air India has announced the arrival of its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft, registered as VT-JRA, adorned in the airline’s bold new livery. The Airbus A350-900 is the first new widebody fleet type introduced in India in over a decade.
Air India became the first Indian airline to operate the A350, following its trailblazing induction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet type in 2012. It marks a pivotal turning point in Air India’s ongoing transformation story, positioning itself as a leader in catalysing the renaissance of Indian aviation, stated a release by the airline.
Campbell Wilson, chief executive officer and managing director of Air India, expressed, “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.”
Air India’s senior commander Capt. Monika Batra Vaidya, one of the initial Indian pilots trained on the A350, was on board as an observer during the delivery flight, operating under the special call sign AI350.
The A350 is slated to enter commercial service in January 2024, initially operating domestically for crew familiarization before embarking on longer-haul flights to destinations across continents.
The A350-900 boasts a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace. This includes 28 private business class suites with full-flat beds, 24 premium economy seats with extra legroom, and 264 economy class seats. All seats feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens.
Campbell Wilson emphasised, “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.”
This aircraft represents the first of the 20 Airbus A350-900 on order, with five more scheduled for deliveries through March 2024. The airline’s orders for 250 new aircraft with Airbus include 20 A350-1000.
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