Air India's First Wide-body Airbus A350-900 Aircraft Arrives In India
Air India has received its first wide-body aircraft, A350, which arrived in New Delhi on Saturday from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. It makes Air India the first Indian carrier to have this type of plane.
This is the first of Air India's 20 Airbus A350-900 orders, with five more scheduled for delivery by March 2024. Campbell Wilson, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, said, "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."
Air India's A350 will begin commercial service in January 2024. Initially, it will operate 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 come in a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace.
It includes 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 airline had recently unveiled its new collection of uniforms for cabin and cockpit crew designed by Indian celebrity couturier, Manish Malhotra.
