Airlines

Air India to Enhance Long-Haul Travel with A350s as Competition Increases

A350s Poised to Redefine Air India’s Long-Haul Strategy as Competition Intensifies

Tata Group-owned Air India is gearing up to elevate its long-haul product as it prepares for the arrival of 34 new Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft, set to join its fleet starting in 2026.

This strategic move aims to solidify Air India’s position in the competitive international market, especially as it seeks to address criticisms regarding its aging fleet. The air india refurbishment A350s will feature distinct, tailor-made interiors designed to enhance the passenger experience.

Air India’s recent acquisition of six A350-900 aircraft, originally built for Russia’s Aeroflot, highlights the airline’s commitment to modernizing its fleet. Following sanctions on Russia, these planes were rerouted, offering a glimpse of the airline’s transformative journey.

Air India Begins $400M Revamp: Exciting New Interiors & Fresh Livery Coming Soon

Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Air India, noted, “The new A350s will start arriving from 2026. Those on pending delivery will have a different end product.” He added that deliveries will occur in phases over the next few years, ensuring a steady influx of these advanced aircraft.

The air india a350 interior business class will boast private suites adorned with luxurious duvets, pillows, and mattress covers. Passengers will be treated to elegant bone china featuring beautiful mandala designs, alongside glassware from a Slovakian manufacturer, free from lead and toxins.

Japan Airlines Rolls Out Free Domestic Flights to International Passengers

Unique salt and pepper shakers shaped like Indian tiffin boxes will provide a memorable touch, while the iconic Maharaja logo will be inlaid on some of the chinaware. In addition to these enhancements, air india a350 plans to introduce onboard air india wifi , with equipment preparations already completed. Regulatory approvals are expected soon, allowing for a swift rollout.

Currently, the revamped Air India experience is available only on routes to the UK, but plans are in place to extend this premium service to all international sectors by March 2025. a350 air india seat map By mid-2025, the airline aims to retrofit nearly 90% of its narrow-body legacy fleet, with widebody retrofitting set to begin mid-next year.

Airlines

US DOT Approves Merger: Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines Finalize Deal

In a significant development for the aviation industry, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued an order granting an exemption for the transfer of international route authorities in the merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

The merger, which is expected to be completed in the coming days, represents a major consolidation in the airline sector. Under the terms of the exemption, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are required to adhere to several key public-interest protections.

Emirates Rolls Out Refurbished Boeing 777s Across Six U.S. Destinations

These stipulations are aimed at preserving service quality and consumer benefits as the merger progresses. Specifically, the airlines must protect the value of rewards, maintain existing service levels on crucial Hawaiian routes to the continental U.S. and inter-island routes, and support rural services.

Additionally, they are required to ensure competitive access at the Honolulu hub airport, offer fee-free family seating, provide alternative compensation for controllable disruptions, and lower costs for military families.

This proactive approach by the DOT marks a new phase in the Department’s merger review process. For the first time, airlines are required to agree to binding, enforceable public-interest protections as a condition for closing their merger.

Japan Airlines Rolls Out Free Domestic Flights to International Passengers

This move highlights the DOT’s commitment to safeguarding public interests and ensuring that mergers do not undermine service quality or competition. As part of the merger agreement, Alaska Airlines will assume approximately $900 million in Hawaiian Airlines’ debt.

Despite this substantial financial responsibility, Alaska plans to retain Hawaiian as a separate brand, which will negate the need for repainting aircraft. To secure approval from the DOT, the airlines agreed to maintain current service levels on key routes where competition is limited.

The exemption granted by the DOT allows Alaska and Hawaiian to finalize their merger while remaining separate and independently operated until the Department completes its review of the transfer application. If the transfer is approved, the public-interest protections will remain in effect for six years.