Air India has proudly received its inaugural A350-900 aircraft, fresh from Airbus’ Toulouse facility in France, making the airline the first in India to feature this advanced model. The plane, bearing the registration VT-JRA, touched down at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1346 hrs, showcasing the Tata Group’s ownership of the airline.
The delivery flight, identified by the special call sign AI350, marks the beginning of Air India’s acquisition of 20 Airbus A350-900 planes, with an additional five scheduled for delivery by March 2024. This delivery is part of Air India’s revised order of 250 aircraft from Airbus, including 40 A350s and a mix of A321neo and A320neo planes.
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO and Managing Director, sees the arrival of the A350-900 as a significant milestone for Indian aviation on the global stage. He expresses confidence in the A350, stating it symbolizes a new era of air travel, promising passengers a world-class experience on non-stop routes. Wilson emphasizes the aircraft’s exceptional flight economics and technology, aligning with Air India’s commitment to successful and sustainable operations.
Initially, the A350-900 will operate on short-haul routes before transitioning to long-haul flights. The commercial service is set to commence in January next year, starting with domestic operations for crew familiarization and expanding to longer-haul routes across continents. The detailed schedule for commercial operations will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Featuring a three-class cabin configuration, the 316-seater A350-900 offers 28 private business class suites with full-flat beds, 24 premium economy seats with extra legroom, and 264 spacious economy class seats. Air India anticipates that the A350-900 will elevate the travel experience for passengers and contribute to the airline’s success in achieving sustainability goals.
