Airlines

Air India opens bookings for Airbus A350 flights, checkout routes & timings

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

Air India is set to achieve a major milestone when it launches its first Airbus A350 on domestic routes on January 22, 2024. Bookings for Airbus A350 domestic flights are now available, the airline announced on platform X.

Air India’s A350 aircraft will initially fly on domestic routes to comply with regulations and train the crew. Flying in Air India’s eye-catching new livery, passengers from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai can experience the comforts and state-of-the-art technology of the Airbus A350. Beyond this first phase, the A350 will eventually operate longer flights between continents.

Bookings open for our Airbus A350 operations in the domestic sector.

The brand-new aircraft, which is India’s first, will start commercial service from 22nd January 2024.

This is our way of celebrating the New Year with all of you, who just can’t wait to fly the new… pic.twitter.com/y0YebLee5v— Air India (@airindia) January 1, 2024

The A350 aircraft will operate its first flight at 7:05 a.m. between Bengaluru and Mumbai, and then another at 10:05 a.m. and 1:20 p.m., respectively, between Mumbai and Chennai and Bengaluru and Chennai. These are going to be open all days except Tuesdays.

The inaugural flight of the aircraft is scheduled to depart from the national capital at 7 p.m. on January 23 and arrive in Bengaluru. On Tuesday, a flight from Bengaluru is scheduled to arrive in Delhi at 10:30 a.m.

The first of Air India’s 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, registered VT-JRA, arrived at IGI Airport in Delhi on December 23, 2023, after taking off from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. With one new aircraft due to arrive every six days through 2024, the A350’s landing signaled the arrival of the first widebody aircraft from Air India’s record-breaking 470 aircraft order.

With three classes of seating, the A350-900 aircraft operated by Air India has 316 seats total: 24 Premium Economy seats featuring additional legroom and other amenities, 28 private Business suites with fully flat beds, and 264 roomy Economy seats.

Airlines

Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Tensions at Qantas reached new heights as base maintenance workers in Brisbane walked out of a hangar meeting hosted by the airline’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson.

The walkout was a clear display of displeasure and aimed to send a strong message to the company’s management about the growing frustrations within the workforce. The workers, represented by the Qantas Engineers Alliance, have been pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living.

In an open display of displeasure, Qantas Base maintenance workers walked out of a hangar meet hosted by the CEO Vanessa Hudson in Brisbane, also aimed to send a message to the management.

Qantas Engineers Alliance members have been demanding decent wage increases to match with… pic.twitter.com/y9EVjc46VM— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 14, 2024

Despite ongoing discussions, the employees feel that their concerns have been overlooked, leading to this public show of dissent. The hangar meeting, meant to foster dialogue and address employee concerns, instead became the stage for a visible demonstration of dissatisfaction as the workers exited in unison.

For some time, the engineers and maintenance staff have expressed frustration over wage stagnation amid increasing inflation and living costs. Their demand is simple: a decent and fair wage adjustment that keeps pace with economic realities. The walkout underscores the workers’ determination to stand firm on their request for better pay and fair treatment.

As Qantas navigates its recovery post-pandemic, this incident highlights the growing internal challenges the airline faces, especially concerning its workforce. The maintenance staff’s actions have put additional pressure on the company’s leadership to address the wage concerns and avoid further escalation.