Air India prioritises upgraded aircraft for southeast Asia and Europe
December 16, 2024
Following the merger of full-service carrier Vistara with Air India earlier this year – with all flights operating under the latter’s brand as of 12 November – Air India has more aircraft at its disposal, resulting in the redeployment of its newly refurbished units on key routes. An “optimised” schedule for Frankfurt, Sydney, Paris and Melborne services has also been revealed.
Starting in January 2025, all Delhi to Bangkok services will be operated on Air India’s newly retrofitted A320 neo; the first type to emerge from an ongoing interior upgrade programme and featuring refreshed interiors across economy, premium economy and business classes. A fourth daily service will also be added.
Meanwhile, the erstwhile Vistara A321neo will serve twice-daily Delhi to Singapore and Mumbai to Singapore services. An additional daily flight from Deli to Singapore will also be moved to the ex-Vistara 787-9, with the type also serving routes to Frankfurt from Delhi and Mumbai. Air India describes this “optimised fleet deployment” as “[providing] the latest generation cabin interiors, including fully flat beds in Business Class and the consistent availability of Premium Economy on these routes”.
In September 2024, Air India officially commenced a $400 million retrofit programme for its existing fleet, with some 67 (including 27 narrowbody and 40 widebody) aircraft to undergo a complete cabin refresh. With the narrowbody fleet upgrades expected to be completed mid-2025, work will commence on its legacy widebody aircraft.
Last month, Air India launched daily nonstop flights between New York JFK and Delhi onboard its newly-retrofitted A350. “The A350 is not just another aircraft for Air India; it is a symbol of the ‘new Air India’ that is emerging through our five-year Vihaan.AI post-privatisation transformation programme,” commented Air India CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson. He added that “guest feedback on the aircraft and new customer experience has been exceptionally positive since it was launched on the Delhi to London Heathrow route in September”.
Alongside ongoing fleet developments, new flight times between Delhi and European destinations of Frankfurt and Paris will offer daytime and nighttime departures from February 2025. A similar rescheduling of daily services to Sydney and Melborne will also serve to further “seamless two-way connectivity”.
