Air India’s 2024 Makeover: New Uniforms, New Lounges

14.12.2023 - 15:59 / skift.com / Air India

Air India, privatized in 2022 and now part of the Tata Group, made big strides in 2023 to make up for  years of neglect. The airline ordered a large number of aircraft for its ambitious growth plans, unveiled its new brand imagery, and showcased the planned retrofit of its existing widebodies. The airline is also preparing to induct its first A350 aircraft into service.

Air India had engaged the services of Indian designer Manish Malhotra to revamp the uniforms for Air India’s frontline staff, including the cabin crew, cockpit crew, ground staff, engineers, and security services. 

Tuesday, Air India unveiled the uniform for cabin crew and cockpit staff. The female cabin crew attire features a ready-to-wear ombré saree paired with a blouse and blazer. The ready-to-wear sarees can be worn with pants. For the male cabin crew, the airline has gone with a bandh gala. Different color variants of the uniform will be allocated to the cabin crew to depict seniority. 

The cockpit crew’s uniform features a classic black double-breasted suit with a print inspired by the Vista, Air India’s new logo icon. Female cabin crew will be provided dual-tone (black and burgundy) block heels, and the male cabin crew will wear black brogues. The uniforms include pearl earrings and sling bags for the female cabin crew. 

The new uniforms will be introduced in phases over the next few months, starting with the entry of Air India’s first Airbus A350 into service, which is expected to arrive in India during December.

Air India is also working on the ground experience for the over 400,000 premium guests the airline handles. The airline has its own lounges in Delhi’s IGI Airport’s Terminal 3, which is the primary hub for Air India, as well as in New York JFK Airport’s Terminal 4.

Air India has engaged Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), a hospitality interior design firm, to refurbish and rebuild the Air India lounges in Delhi and New York. The firm has prior experience designing hotels for the Taj, Marriott, Hilton and InterContinental brands, but has also done lounge design for Singapore Airlines at Singapore Changi Terminal 3.

While this awaits formal confirmation from Air India, the Indian newspaper Hindu Businessline recently reported that Air India would retrofit its narrowbody fleet to add a third cabin between the conventional business class and economy cabins.

This will likely be a Premium Economy cabin and intended to build on the efforts of Vistara, which introduced the cabin in India. The Premium Economy cabin will also allow Air India to offer an affordable experience above the Economy cabin for their corporate and leisure guests on domestic and regional routes. 

Air India has seen significant success with Premium Economy