Air India welcomes India’s first Airbus A350 aircraft with striking new brand livery

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Air India, India’s premier global airline, joyfully received its initial Airbus A350-900 aircraft, bearing the registration VT-JRA, adorned in the airline’s striking new livery. This moment signifies a pivotal juncture in Air India’s ongoing narrative of transformation.

The aircraft completed its journey from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France, arriving at New Delhi at 13:46 Hrs (local time) today. Operating under the distinctive call sign AI350, the delivery flight was greeted by representatives of Air India. Capt. Monika Batra Vaidya, a Senior Commander and one of the first Indian pilots trained on the A350, was aboard as an observer.

Air India stands at the forefront of rejuvenating Indian aviation by introducing the first new widebody fleet type in over a decade, solidifying its status as the first Indian carrier to operate the A350. Notably, Air India pioneered the induction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet in 2012.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India, expressed, “This moment marks a historic day for all of us at Air India. The A350 represents more than just machinery; it symbolizes the unwavering dedication of all Air India employees to our ongoing transformation and our commitment to setting new industry benchmarks. It also signals the resurgence of Indian aviation on the global stage.”

Wilson emphasized that the A350, as a symbol of modern air travel, assures passengers of a world-class, long-haul experience on non-stop routes, offering unparalleled comfort. The aircraft’s impressive flight economics and cutting-edge technology align with Air India’s commitment to commercial success and sustainability goals.

Commercial operations with Air India’s A350 are scheduled to commence in January 2024, initially on domestic routes for crew familiarization before extending to longer-haul destinations across continents. The detailed schedule for A350 commercial flights will be disclosed in the coming weeks.

Air India’s A350-900 features a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace. The cabin includes 28 private Business Class suites, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and unique features, and 264 spacious Economy Class seats. All seats are equipped with the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens for an enhanced flying experience.

This A350 is the first of the 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft ordered by Air India, with five more expected to be delivered by March 2024. Additionally, Air India has firm orders for 250 new aircraft with Airbus, including 20 A350-1000.

Recently, Air India initiated the rollout of its new global brand identity, unveiling a new consumer-facing website and mobile app. The airline also introduced a highly anticipated collection of uniforms for cabin and cockpit crew designed by Indian celebrity couturier, Manish Malhotra. The new uniforms will debut with the entry into service of the A350.

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