Simple Flying recently reported that Air India had placed an order for ten Airbus A350s. The order was made alongside the order of a sizable number of Airbus A320s too. The order amounted to close to $6 billion in total. It was reported in mid-September that Air India would be spending around $400 million to retrofit sixty-seven aircraft, forty of which were widebodies.
Related In Photos: Inside Air India's New Airbus A350
The cabin design seamlessly integrates the airline's identity, and there are no visual indications of its previous ownership.
4
According to the data from planespotters.net, out of the 130 aircraft operated by Air India, six are Airbus A350. All six of these are of the Airbus A350-900 type.
The A350s are some of the youngest aircraft in Air India's fleet, as even the oldest aircraft of this type operated by the Indian flag carrier (registered VT-JRA) is merely 1.2 years old. The youngest is registered VT-JRI and was delivered in May earlier this year.
Photo: Air India
Here's a list of the registrations of the remaining A350s operated by Air India:
VT-JRB VT-JRE VT-JRF VT-JRH
But how does this carrier configure its A350s? Let's find out.
Business Class in Air India's Airbus A350s
Air India offers twenty-eight seats in the business class of A350s. The seats are configured 1-2-1, and when Simple Flying journalists were asked to visit the A350s, one of the reporters claimed that this seating, as opposed to the 2-2-2 configuration of the years gone by, was "more intimate".
Photo: Air India
All of these Collins Aerospace Horizon seats have direct access to/from the aisle and are equipped with the following:
A personal wardrobe (where you can put away jackets to avoid clutter while lying back) Privacy doors Vanity Secure storage cabinet
According to aerolopa.com, each business class seat on the A350s of Air India can be converted into a fully flat 6'-6" long bed and has the following dimensions:
Row Pitch
48 inches
Seat Width
22 inches
The business class seats are equipped with USB-A sockets and universal AC, alongside a 21" HD touchscreen display.
A side note on Air India's A350s: these were intended for Aeroflot
Tucked behind Turkish Airlines, Air India was the second carrier to take up the Airbus A350s that were initially headed to make it to the fleet of the Russian carrier, Aeroflot.
Related What's The Latest With Air India's Airbus A350s?
Two A350-900s destined for Air India have been spotted at Airbus facilities in Toulouse.
9
Some of the interiors of the six A350s were designed for the Russian flag carrier. It was reported by Simple Flying that Air India kept the interiors designed for Aeroflot for the following reasons:
Supply chain constraints, which have affected the aviation community at large. Air India intended to get the A350s sooner. Premium Economy on Airbus A350s of Air India
Air India offers twenty-four seats on the Premium economy. These seats are configured 2-4-2 and were designed by Collins Aerospace (MiQ seats), and have the following dimensions:
Row pitch
38 inches
Seat Width
18.5 inches
Recline
8 inches
The recliners on the Premium economy seats allow passengers to adopt a relaxing lounging position. Compared to the touchscreen display on business class seats, the ones on premium economy are eight inches smaller. As the meals offered on the premium economy might not be served on traditional ceramic plates, the dining in this class isn't as exclusive (or as luxurious) as in a business class.
Photo: Aerospace Trek | Shutterstock
However, there are some similarities between the premium economy and business class on the Airbus A350s of Air India. The USB-A sockets and universal AC are a part of the premium economy as well. Passengers on premium economy will also get a premium dining experience complete with cutlery.
Economy Seats on Air India's A350s
Air India offers 264 seats in the economy class of its A350s. These Collins Aerospace Aspire seats have 3-3-3 configuration and are equipped with a 12" HD touchscreen display. While the seats are not equipped with universal AC, they have a USB-A socket. Here are the dimensions of the seats:
Row pitch
31 inches
Seat Width
17.3 inches
Recline
6 inches
Photo: Eurospot
One can see the imprint of the carrier's dedication to sustainability (but without cutting down on comfort) on the economy class of its Airbus A350s. All the 264 seats on this aircraft type are lightweight and help save fuel.
The cardboard cutlery (used during the meals served) minimizes the use of plastics and helps reduce pollution. Delectable Indian cuisine is on offer in the economy class, irrespective of the destination.
In-flight entertainment on Air India's A350s
Air India's A350s have a Panasonic eX3 system as its in-flight entertainment, which provides on-demand audio/visual content. The carrier is also looking forward to offering Wi-Fi on its A350s.
Related Air India Announces Plans To Equip Airbus A350-900s With WiFi
The decision is still subject to regulatory approval.
9
Rajesh Dogra, the chief customer experience officer for Air India, was quoted in the Hindustan Times as having said that the carrier might be launching Wi-Fi services within the next few months:
"A lot of efforts have been made to launch Wi-Fi on board and international flights will get it first. Wi-Fi- will come before the year end, subject to regulatory approvals. The service should start with our A350s within one month after we receive the approvals."
Dogra also commented that the carrier wanted to improve the soft products offered on its flights.