Airlines

Air India Introduces Enhanced A350 Service on Delhi-London Route

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Air India is set to revolutionize its long-haul service between Delhi and London Heathrow with the introduction of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

Beginning on September 1, 2024, this iconic route will become the stage for the international debut of Air India’s flagship product, marking a significant step forward in the airline’s commitment to enhancing passenger experience under the ‘New Air India Experience’ initiative.

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The Airbus A350-900, which is replacing the Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on 14 of the 17 weekly flights between Delhi and London Heathrow, brings a substantial capacity increase, offering an additional 336 seats per week on this popular route. This upgrade is part of a broader strategy that has seen Air India enhance 90% of its services to London Heathrow by September 2024.

Air India’s A350-900 features a luxurious three-class configuration designed to cater to the diverse needs of its passengers. Business Class passengers will enjoy the comfort of 28 private suites with full-flat beds, ensuring a restful journey. The introduction of Premium Economy on this route is a first for air india a350 london, offering 24 seats in a dedicated, upscale cabin arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, complete with extra legroom and enhanced amenities. The Economy Class, with 264 seats, promises a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience.

Passengers across all classes will benefit from Air India’s latest in-flight entertainment system, air india wifi powered by Panasonic’s eX3 platform. This cutting-edge system offers over 3000 hours of global content, including films, TV shows, and music, in 13 international and 8 Indian regional languages. Families with young travelers will appreciate the extensive selection of over 100 hours of children’s programming.

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The ‘New Air India Experience’ extends beyond just seating and entertainment. The airline has also introduced a range of new soft products, designed to elevate the in-flight experience. air india a350 interior Business and Premium Economy passengers will be treated to exclusive amenity kits designed by Ferragamo and TUMI, respectively. These kits, along with new chinaware, tableware, and glassware, reflect Air India’s commitment to luxury and attention to detail.

This deployment of the A350-900 on the Delhi-London route is a significant milestone in Air India’s broader fleet renewal and service enhancement strategy. Earlier in April 2024, the airline began using its newly inducted Boeing 777-300ERs with elevated cabin interiors on the Mumbai-London Heathrow route, air india refurbishment reintroducing First Class service between these two cities. With these upgrades, Air India is now the only airline offering First Class travel between the UK and India.

Airlines

DGCA Grounds IndiGo Pilots After Tailstrike on Delhi-Bengaluru Flight

On September 9, 2024, an IndiGo flight bound for Bengaluru experienced a significant tailstrike incident at Delhi airport.

The flight, designated as 6E 6054 and operating an Airbus A321neo (VT-IBI), encountered a serious issue during takeoff, resulting in the aircraft being grounded for the past eight days.

The incident occurred when the rear part of the aircraft made contact with the runway, causing the plane to momentarily float in the air before settling back onto the runway. Following the tailstrike, airport authorities instructed the flight to stop.

The aircraft has been out of service since the event, and IndiGo has confirmed that it is currently undergoing maintenance. The airline stated, “The aircraft is currently under maintenance and will be back in operation post necessary repairs.”

In response to the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the civil aviation regulator, has suspended the pilots involved. A senior official from the DGCA noted that the flight crew has been off rostered and that a thorough indigo seat map investigation into the incident is ongoing.

indigo has acknowledged the incident and assured the public that the aircraft will return to service only after all required repairs are completed. The airline added, “The incident is under investigation.”