First Look at Air India’s Airbus A350 Flagship: Is It Worth the Wait?

19.01.2024 - 13:55 / skift.com

Air India is starting the new year with a bold statement of intent. On Thursday, the carrier showcased its new flagship aircraft, as part of a bigger plan to present a re-energized Air India to the world.

On display at the Wings India aviation show, was the airline’s first Airbus A350-900. This marks one of 20 such aircraft on order (along with another 20 of the larger A350-1000). The company received the jet on December 23 and has been busy since then getting it certified and ready for entry into service. 

For many insiders and industry watchers alike, the A350 is being considered the cornerstone of the new fleet and a representative of a ‘New Air India’. The airline has snapped up six A350-900s, originally prepared to Aeroflot’s specifications. However, with international sanctions on Russia, these aircraft were ultimately offered to other carriers. Turkish Airlines was the other big-name brand that snapped up six of the rerouted airframes.

Thursday’s airshow in the southern city of Hyderabad was the first time Air India had publicly presented its new flagship, and Skift was among the first to take a look.  

Despite the jet being initially bound for the Moscow-based operator, Air India has taken its time to reupholster the aircraft to make it ‘their’ product. There’s little evidence of any Aeroflot colors in sight. The A350-900 seats 316 passengers in a three-class configuration: 28 in business, 24 in premium economy, and 264 in economy.

On board, the product and experience are designed to reflect a premium carrier, a positioning not typically associated with Air India in recent years.

The Collins Aerospace Horizon Premier seat (originally destined for Aeroflot) kits out the business class cabin. Variations of these can be found on some Turkish Airlines and Air Canada widebody aircraft. 

The seat, or , is equipped with sliding doors to keep up with the current trend of enhanced privacy. Inside is a 79-inch fully flat bed, a personal wardrobe, and direct aisle access for all passengers. The seats have ample stowage for personal items, five recline modes, and a big 21-inch screen.

A nuance not noticed otherwise, but these A350s are also fitted with inflight humidifiers for the business class cabin. These should bring the humidity from 5-7 percent in the front cabin to 20-22 percent. The impact is noticeable not just on the passengers’ wellbeing but also on the flavor of the food and beverages served at 35,000 feet.

Rather excitingly, directly behind the business class cabin is a social area, which can be transformed into a bar. Skift understands that Air India plans to use the space to serve drinks and snacks to premium cabin passengers.

Premium economy uses the Collins Aerospace MIQ seat, a popular