Travel

Air India Debuts A350 on Delhi-London Route with Expanded Offerings

Air India is poised to revolutionize its long-haul service with the deployment of its latest wide-body Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the Delhi-London Heathrow route starting September 1.

This significant development marks the long-haul debut of the A350-900, the first new aircraft type introduced by an Indian airline in over a decade.

The A350-900 will replace the Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on 14 out of the 17 weekly flights between Delhi and London Heathrow, effectively adding an impressive 336 seats per week on this popular route.

90% of flights to London Heathrow upgraded

This strategic move will see Air India upgrading 90% of its flights to London Heathrow with the new aircraft, reflecting the airline’s commitment to enhancing passenger comfort and service quality.

From September 1, Air India will operate two daily flights between Delhi and London Heathrow with the A350-900 aircraft. This follows the initial deployment of the A350-900 on the international route between Delhi and Dubai starting May 1.

The airline’s strategic fleet renewal includes an order for 40 A350 planes, with six already integrated into its operations, demonstrating a robust commitment to modernizing its fleet.

A350 planes also used for domestic flights

Air India has also utilized the A350 planes for domestic flights, showcasing the versatility and efficiency of this advanced aircraft. The airline’s efforts to modernize its fleet are a testament to its ambition to elevate the travel experience for its passengers to world-class standards.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, “The deployment of our flagship A350s and the B777s with upgraded cabin interiors to London Heathrow marks a significant milestone for Air India. It demonstrates our commitment to elevating the travel experience of our guests to truly world-class standards and to going beyond just meeting customer expectations as we continue to renew our fleet.”

Airlines

Etihad Airways Launches 8 New Destinations this month

Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, is embarking on a significant network expansion this June with the introduction of flights to eight new destinations.

Added Eight new destinations

This move increases their total summer season routes to 76, marking a milestone in their growth strategy. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity.

New routes to Bali, Jaipur, and Al Qassim

“It is an exciting month for Etihad as we deliver on our plans to expand our network with eight additional locations,” Neves stated. Highlighting the popularity of new routes like Bali, Jaipur, and Al Qassim based on forward bookings, he noted the positive reception from passengers.

The airline has commenced operations to summer hotspots such as Nice on the French Riviera and Antalya on the Turkish Riviera, as well as resumed services to Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini. Earlier in June, Etihad reintroduced flights to Málaga, a favored Spanish holiday destination.

This week, Etihad launched direct services to Jaipur, renowned for its vibrant culture and status as a key tourist destination in Rajasthan, India. This marks Etihad’s 11th gateway into India, aiming to strengthen connectivity and convenience for travelers from the UAE, Europe, North America, and the GCC.

Etihad’s four-times-weekly flights to Bali offer travelers an opportunity to experience the island’s tropical paradise. Visitors can indulge in its pristine beaches, lush green rice fields, and rich local culture, providing an ideal blend of relaxation and exploration.

Airlines

SAS inagurates new route to Atlanta from Copenhagen

To meet the growing demand for travel to and from Scandinavia and the United States, SAS is expanding its North American network by adding a ninth destination.

SAS begins new nonstop Atlanta route

Starting on June 17th, SAS will offer daily nonstop flights from Copenhagen to Atlanta, providing customers with a new direct route to the U.S.

Atlanta is a city worth visiting, offering something for everyone with its rich cultural experiences, historic landmarks, diverse culinary scene, and thriving sports scene. Handling nearly 104 million passengers in 2023, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.

On September 1, 2024, SAS will join SkyTeam. With Atlanta serving as a major hub for the SkyTeam member, Delta Air Lines, SAS customers will benefit from seamless access to the extensive SkyTeam network.

This network includes over 1,060 destinations across all member airlines. SAS has already started integrating Delta Air Lines flights into its itineraries, providing customers with increased connectivity options.

SAS will operate the route with both Airbus A330 as well as A350 aircraft. Both aircraft types offer three travel classes – SAS Business, SAS Plus, and SAS Go.

Five facts about Atlanta:

It’s the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.
Atlanta is a hub for the Black queer community and has been for at least two decades.
Coca-Cola was invented and founded in Atlanta.
Atlanta is one of the few cities that has a professional team for baseball, American football, soccer, and basketball.
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport houses rotating and permanent art exhibits.The initiative to display artworks at the airport originated in 1979.