Aerospace

Air India launches its first ever non-stop service between Mumbai and San Francisco

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The nonstop service between Mumbai and San Francisco was launched by Air India on Thursday, according to the minister of civil aviation jyotiraditya Scindia. The flight will operate three times per week.

Air India, India’s leading airline and a Star Alliance member, is spreading its wings further in the United States with the launch of its first-ever non-stop service between Mumbai and San Francisco from 15th December 2022. This closely follows the launch of its three times a-week flight between Bengaluru and San Francisco on 2nd December 2022. This new flight is in line with Air India’s vision to enhance its global footprint and provide the highest levels of
service and convenience to its customers.

Six Boeing 777 aircraft have been leased by Air India for use in operations to various overseas destinations. The aircraft’s cabin is also being renovated, which could increase passenger comfort.

For the first time, a nonstop flight with a distance of nearly 13,000 kilometers took off from the Mumbai airport. In order to continue the strong improvement of the airlines, TATA, which owns Air India, has made some audacious decisions. For the time being, it has ordered some of the 6 wide aircraft for leasing from the western nation.

One of the Boeing 777 airplanes arrived yesterday for the international operation’s passenger service. The majority of the improvements were visible over the seats and the aircraft’s livery as it arrived.

Why does a certain airline have a weird paint job? Do they benefit from it in any way? explained. (Opens in a new browser tab)

There are various subtle yet noteworthy changes made by @airindiain to VT-AEF's livery (the 1st of 5 ex – @Delta #B777-200LRs).
Lets see if the #Avgeek's on my timeline are able to spot these changes from these brilliant photos of the #AirIndia LR's by @KadamAnshul #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/tlgVNNgBog
— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) December 13, 2022

Air India continues to develop Mumbai as an important hub for international as well as domestic traffic. The launch of the Mumbai-San Francisco route will be followed by Mumbai-New York City (JFK), Mumbai-Frankfurt, and Mumbai-Paris. Additional domestic flights originating from Mumbai will also be added. The flight will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with the newlyinducted Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. This will take Air India’s India-US frequency to 40 non-stop flights

per week. Presently, Air India operates non-stop flights from Mumbai to Newark, from Delhi to New York, Newark, Washington DC, San Francisco, and Chicago, and from Bengaluru to San Francisco. This will be the third Indian city after Delhi and Bengaluru to have a direct flight to San Francisco.

As we can see, the older Maharaja windows are no longer there in the newly arrived aircraft, which also has upgraded seat covers. The aircraft is marked with the Delta name because it was formerly run by the airline. In the case of Air India, they left it as is in order to avoid incurring additional costs for the seats. It entirely depends on the new owner whether they want to stick with the same brand or change that logo sign over the seat.

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There are the first interior shots of the Air India Boeing 200 LR aircraft, which previously belonged to Delta. It left the interiors very impressed.

The first flight AI 179 from Mumbai to San Francisco left Mumbai on time at 1430 hrs to arrive in San Francisco at a convenient 1700 hrs (local time) on the same day. The return flight AI 180 will depart from San Francisco at 2100 hrs (local time) to arrive in Mumbai at 0340 hrs+2 days. The Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde graced the virtual inauguration ceremony of the flight. They flagged it off along with Mr. Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Civil Aviation, and Mr. Vinod Hejmadi, Chief of Finance, Air India.

The flight witnessed a grand launch with the auspicious lamp-lighting ceremony followed by cake cutting, ribbon cutting, and handing over the boarding pass to the first passenger to have checked in, at the Boarding Gate of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai by Mr. Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India; in presence of senior officials of Air India, Mumbai Airport, other organizations and passengers. The two senior-most citizens on the flight were also present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Speaking on the new flight launch, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said, “Today is a historic day for Maharashtra, India, and Air India. The Civil Aviation sector in India is on the cusp of transformation, and India is the third largest civil aviation market in the world with a growth of 10.6% CAGR in the last ten years. Air India has played a significant role in the sector’s transformation in the past and will continue to contribute to the growth of the industry. With Air India’s legacy, culture, and vision, the airline will take Indian Civil Aviation to newer heights.”

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More cabin photos of @airindiain 's VT-AEF taken by @deep_choudhuri who flew the aircraft from #Mumbai to #Delhi today.
I love the use of the @TataCompanies logo alongside that of AI and the mood lighting.
This is a fantastic product and a massive upgrade !#AvGeek pic.twitter.com/LJJkCCcRZy
— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) December 13, 2022

The new in-flight meal menu that provides a variety of food options has also been improved by Air India, making passengers satisfied with the price they paid for the trip.

Finally here is a video of the economy cabin onboard @airindiain (AI) 's first of 5 ex @Delta #B777-200LRs VT-AEF.
It is evident few changes have been made to the hard product onboard these aircraft. AI passengers would love these LR's.
Thank you @sachmihika !#AvGeek #PaxEx pic.twitter.com/bvRZ9prlW7
— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) December 12, 2022
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Recently, Air India announced that it is considering purchasing a new wide-body aircraft, including A350 and other narrow-body aircraft which totaled 500 aircraft which is already being discussed with Boeing and Airbus. It carefully selects the décor and seating options for its cabin. Given that it is a full-service airline, emphasis is placed on business class, premium economy, and economy.

One more feather in the cap for @airindiain. Mumbai to San Francisco non-stop. Undoubtedly the fastest medium to reach the USA. @rajeshdogra7 @BanerjiSougata pic.twitter.com/gGwMgU9UVf
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) December 15, 2022

Image and footage courtesy: @Vinamralongani (Twitter) @sachmihika

Dawal

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry. He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

Indigo will soon launch Air Taxi Service in India

Image:Archer Aviation

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent brand of IndiGo, is set to revolutionize travel in India with its upcoming air taxi service.

Scheduled for a potential launch in 2026, this innovative venture promises a seamless journey for passengers between two bustling hubs. Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. The forthcoming service is projected to revolutionize the daily commute, offering passengers a swift aerial journey covering the distance in a mere 7 minutes.

This remarkable efficiency contrasts starkly with the conventional 90-minute drive, underscoring the immense time-saving potential for commuters. The anticipated fare, ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000, makes this innovative mode of transport not only swift but also remarkably competitive in pricing.

At the heart of this ambitious endeavor lies a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology. Under this collaboration, Archer will supply 200 state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft, representing an investment of US$ 1 billion. These cutting-edge aircraft, capable of accommodating up to four passengers alongside the pilot, epitomize the future of sustainable air travel.

Powered by six battery packs, Archer’s eVTOL aircraft boast rapid charging capabilities, enabling a swift turnaround between flights. With a charging time of just 30-40 minutes, these eco-friendly aircraft ensure minimal downtime, maximizing operational efficiency.

Similar services are anticipated to be introduced by the joint venture in Bengaluru and Mumbai as well. Nevertheless, the service rollout period has not yet been made public by the company. Next year, it is anticipated to get its certification. Following this, the company will start the certification procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Aerospace

Which is bigger 777x or 787 aircraft ?

The 777X is a new series of the Boeing 777 family and is designed to be larger and more efficient than its predecessor. It features two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9, being the larger of the two.

The Boeing 777X emerges as the larger sibling within the Boeing family, representing a significant leap forward in both size and efficiency. Comprising two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, the latter takes the crown as the larger of the two. With its expansive fuselage and impressive wingspan, the 777X is tailored for long-range journeys and boasts a substantial passenger capacity.

On the other hand, the Boeing 787, affectionately known as the Dreamliner, occupies a niche in the market as a smaller yet formidable aircraft designed for medium to long-range flights. Its distinguishing feature lies in its composite fuselage, a technological marvel that renders it lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to conventional aluminum counterparts. The Boeing 777X is larger than the Boeing 787 aircraft.

When it comes to passenger capacity, the 777-9 reigns supreme, typically accommodating a sizeable contingent of 400-425 passengers in its standard configuration. In contrast, the 787, with its more modest dimensions, typically carries between 240-290 passengers, depending on the variant and layout.

One of the remarkable innovations introduced with the 777X is its folding wingtips, a feature designed to address the logistical challenges of accommodating such a large aircraft in conventional airport gates. These folding wingtips enable the 777X to retract its wings, allowing it to fit into gates designed for smaller aircraft while still reaping the benefits of an extended wingspan during flight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.