Air India, the national carrier of India, stands as a venerable institution with a rich legacy in the aviation realm. With roots tracing back to its foundation as Tata Airlines in 1932, Air India has evolved into one of the oldest and most distinguished airlines in the country.

Over the decades, it has established itself as a prominent player in the aviation industry, contributing significantly to India’s air travel landscape. best airlines in India Operating an extensive network of both domestic and international flights, Air India serves as a vital link, seamlessly connecting millions of passengers to destinations around the world.

In this article, we will explore some fascinating facts about Air India, shedding light on various aspects of the airline’s history, ownership, and operational details.

12 Fascinating facts about Air India

1. 1. Historical Roots: Air India, originally established in 1932 as Tata Airlines by J.R.D. Tata has evolved into a prominent player in the aviation industry. Commencing operations as an air mail carrier, the airline transitioned to passenger services and was rebranded as Air India in 1946.
2. The Tata Group declared on January 27, 2022, that the deal to buy Air India from the Indian government had been completed. “The airline is managed and controlled by the Tata Group.
3. 2. Diverse Fleet: Boasting a diverse fleet exceeding 120 aircraft, including both Boeing and Airbus models, Air India efficiently serves a spectrum of domestic and international routes. The airline’s extensive network encompasses over 90 destinations. As of December 2023, Air India serves a total of 84 destinations, including 44 domestic and 40 international destinations across five continents.
4. The company has placed orders for Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft to further enhance the passenger experience. When comparing the A350 vs 777X, both are wide-body aircraft that offer various classes of seats, including Air India First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.
5. 3. Air India loyalty program: The airline offers a frequent flyer program called Flying Returns, allowing travelers to accumulate miles by flying with air india flying returns and its partner airlines. Frequent flyers can earn and redeem points for rewards like free flights, class upgrades, lounge access, excess luggage allowance, and more through the loyalty programme.
6. By taking flights with Air India or one of its affiliates, staying at one of its hotels, renting a car, or paying with a credit card, members can accrue points.
7. 4. In-Flight Wifi Initiative: Air India plans to introduce in-flight wifi services on its widebody aircraft with new interiors within the next two years, enhancing the passenger experience.
8. By the end of March of this year, it will have 19 new widebody aircraft. does air india have wifi The first aircraft with onboard wifi will be these new ones. does air india international flights have wifi As part of $400 million refurbishment project, their air india new interior will be refurbished and they will receive everything new, including seats, inflight entertainment (IFE), and does air india have inflight wifi.
9. 5. Record-Setting Aircraft Orders: In a significant move earlier this year, Air India placed orders for a total of 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, amounting to an impressive US$ 70 billion investment. A substantial project of approximately US$ 400 million is scheduled for the refurbishment of 43 legacy widebody aircraft, with the project commencing in mid-2024.
10. 6. Brand Identity Refresh: In August 2023, Air India unveiled a refreshed global brand identity, featuring the iconic ‘Vista’ logo symbolizing limitless possibilities and progressiveness. The new look incorporates bold colors and bespoke design elements. The much-anticipated Airbus A350 aircraft arrived this month, showcasing Air India’s commitment to modernizing its fleet.
11. 7. Strategic Collaboration: Under the ownership of Tata, Air India is in advanced talks with Airbus to establish a joint venture for the development of the largest pilot training center in South Asia. This collaborative effort involves a substantial financial commitment of about Rs 3,500 crore, with both parties owning 50% of the newly established company.
12. 8. New Uniforms: The Air India flight attendant uniform revealed new uniforms designed by renowned Indian couturier Manish Malhotra for both cabin and cockpit crews, blending tradition with modernity, coinciding with the arrival of the A350.
13. 9. Expanded Services: Now under the Tata Group’s ownership, Air India is set to offer additional services through its revamped website, including flight, cab, and hotel bookings, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers. To explore more Air India web check-in.
14. 10. MRO facility in India: In a strategic move, the company has opted to create its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India, aimed at accelerating and streamlining the process of aircraft engine repairs. Specifically, the focus is on Rolls-Royce, the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft engines.
15. 11. Air India AI Agent: Air India is becoming the world’s first airline to deploy a cutting-edge Generative AI virtual agent named ‘Maharaja.’ This innovative virtual agent is powered by the Azure OpenAI service from Microsoft.
16. Since its initial launch in March 2023, ‘Maharaja’ has successfully responded to over 500,000 customer queries and currently handles more than 6,000 queries daily in four languages, including Hindi, English, French, and German.
17. 12. Air India Inflight Menu: Air India has updated the inflight food and beverage menus for all international flights. air india international flight food menu have been updated based on consumer feedback and are intended to provide tourists with a variety of gourmet meals, trendy appetizers, delicious desserts, and displays to showcase India’s unique culinary influence while adhering to the healthy eating trend.