- Air India is introducing revamped first-class suites on new Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777X aircraft.
- The airline is retrofitting existing planes with upgraded first and business class configurations.
- Targeting major global hubs, Air India aims to compete with top luxury carriers.
Air India gets a bad rep, maligned by many for its less-than-immaculate cleanliness and customer service records. However, the airline is set to elevate its premium offerings — and give its street cred a much-needed polish — with the introduction of revamped first-class suites on its forthcoming Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777X aircraft. This move aims to position the airline among the world’s leading carriers in luxury travel, particularly targeting high-demand mega-city markets such as Singapore, London, and New York.
Air India’s New First Class Suites
Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, announced that the new first-class suites are designed to rival those of the world’s largest airlines: “Many of the biggest airlines in the world are developing the next generation of first-class products, and Air India aims to compete with them by offering a superior product,” Aggarwal said during a recent press briefing.
He also went so far as to claim that the new suites on the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777X jets will provide a much-enhanced luxury experience that caters to high-net-worth flyers seeking an alternative to private jets for long-haul routes:
“Even if you have a private jet, you can’t fly to the US from India in your private jet without a stop… however, with our first-class product, you can fly nonstop.”
Nipun Aggarwal
Fleet Upgrades and Business Class Reconfigurations
While the delivery of the new Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-9 aircraft isn’t expected to come to fruition for the next few years, Air India is already pushing on with impressive upgrades to its existing fleet. Their current Boeing 777-300s will be retrofitted with first class and business class suites, featuring four first class and 35 business class seats per aircraft.
The airline also plans to retrofit 40 widebody aircraft in the latter half of this year and 100 narrowbody aircraft by mid-2025 with three-class configurations, including first class on select widebody planes. These upgrades will guarantee a consistent pointy-end experience across Air India’s fleet, enhancing comfort for flyers on both domestic and international flights and, hopefully, its reputation to boot.
Air India’s Future Plans
Air India’s levelled-up first class offer will initially serve lucrative long-haul routes connecting India to major global hubs. By focusing on nonstop flights to destinations like London and New York, the airline hopes to capture a new and significant share of the burgeoning premium travel market.
Aggarwal was unabashed about the immense revenue potential of India’s long-haul market, which currently represents over 50% of the airline’s revenue despite accounting for only 12% of passenger volume. To further support this growth, Air India is strengthening domestic hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, facilitating better connectivity and reducing layover times, potentially by a massive 50%, from six hours to three.
On top of all this good work to the fleet, Air India is also overhauling its loyalty programme, the Maharaja Club, which has grown to over 10.3 million members. The programme will soon include members of Air India Express, expanding its reach and enhancing customer retention through improved rewards and co-branded credit cards. A strategic merger with Vistara has further bolstered Air India’s position, allowing for better pricing and customer experiences on metro routes, as well as offering new avenues for corporate partnerships.
Final Word
With the introduction of new first-class suites and comprehensive fleet upgrades, Air India could redefine its position in the global aviation market. If it can attract the discerning and deep-pocketed travellers it craves, it could compete very effectively with more established global carriers. The proof, as they say, will be in the pointy-end pudding.
Related Stories
