Aviation

Air India Poised for Another Game-Changing Order of Airbus A320s and A350s

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Air India is making significant strides to reclaim its status among the world’s leading airlines by placing a new order for 85 Airbus jets.

This latest order, which industry sources confirm consists of 75 A320-family aircraft for short- to medium-haul air india flight and 10 long-haul A350 jets, is part of the airline’s ambitious expansion plan.

Key Highlights of the Order:

Total Jets Ordered: 85 Airbus aircraft
- 75 A320-family jets: Tailored for short- to medium-haul routes.
- 10 A350 aircraft: Designed for long-haul operations.
Potential Boeing Order: Air India is also eyeing a top-up order from Boeing, which could further enhance its fleet.

While Airbus has acknowledged an order from an unnamed customer, sources within the industry have identified Air India as the buyer. This marks a substantial step in the airline’s ongoing transformation since its acquisition by the Tata Group, which has committed to substantial investments in upgrading operations and modernizing the fleet.

Industry experts speculate that Air India’s ongoing expansion efforts may soon be complemented by a significant order from Boeing, reinforcing the airline’s position in the competitive aviation market. The news of the Airbus order coincidentally surfaced shortly before Tata Group announced the passing of its former chairman, Ratan Tata, underscoring the deep connection between the airline and the Tata legacy.

As Air India continues to invest in its fleet and enhance its service offerings, the airline’s management has remained tight-lipped regarding specific details of the new deal, reflecting the competitive nature of the industry.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.