Aviation

Air India’s First A350 Lands at Delhi Airport

Air India Eliminates Data Silos, Gaining a Digital Edge

Finally, The wait is over, as the first wide-body Air India aircraft, an A350 with a new livery, will touch down Today. The aircraft arrived at New Delhi at 13:46 Hrs (local time) from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. This marks a historic moment for the airline as it becomes the first Indian carrier to integrate this state-of-the-art aircraft into its fleet.

Upon its arrival in Delhi, the A350-900 will undergo a series of post-arrival regulatory procedures, showcasing the new Air India livery and interior. Preceding the commencement of passenger services, these procedures encompass ground testing, equipment inspections by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), customs clearance, and proof flights to ensure operational readiness.

India's and @airindia 's first #A350-900 was welcomed in style with a customary water salute in #Delhi – @DelhiAirport !
Fantastic shots of the aircraft taken by @captchops
What a day for India and what a day for everyone at Air India !
Many congratulations! #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/5OilGrxkfj— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) December 23, 2023

The induction of the first of 20 A350-900 aircraft is a significant step for @airindia, with the milestone arrival scheduled at Delhi Airport. The airline is poised to become the first Indian carrier to incorporate the Airbus A350 into its fleet, with plans for the aircraft to commence commercial service in January 2024. An additional five deliveries are expected in March, showcasing Air India’s commitment to modernizing its fleet.

Highlighting the diverse offerings within the aircraft, Air India’s A350 features Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class cabins. Business Class seats are designed to provide superior comfort, offering more legroom and a spacious layout, allowing passengers to relax and recline to an increased extent for optimal sleeping positions.

Here are possibly the first cabin photos of the @airindia #A350-900 which arrived in #Delhi – @DelhiAirport earlier today.
The aircraft seats 28 in Business, 24 in Premium Economy and 264 in Economy.#AvGeek #PaxEx pic.twitter.com/qUVxE22LuV— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) December 23, 2023

In Premium Economy, passengers can expect a more comfortable journey with additional legroom, wider seats, and enhanced recline options compared to standard Economy seats. Priority boarding is often a perk, ensuring a swift and convenient boarding process for Premium Economy passengers.

Air India’s commitment to passenger comfort extends across all classes, promising ergonomically designed seats with adjustable headrests and ample legroom in Economy. Even in Economy class, the airline aims to deliver a touch of luxury, ensuring that passengers can fully enjoy their journey aboard the new A350. This marks a significant leap for Air India in enhancing the travel experience and embracing the future of aviation.

Aviation

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

Boeing’s challenges continue as employees halted production due to a strike, creating new obstacles for delivering aircraft to customers. The company now faces financial losses from delays in the delivery of its boeing 777x aircraft.

Boeing recently announced that the new delivery date for the 777-9 will be in 2026, with the freighter variant scheduled for 2028. This news has been frustrating for airlines that have committed to and are waiting for the aircraft.

Mega Comparison of Boeing 777x vs A350-1000 Aircraft

The Boeing 777X program, which began in early 2019, was initially delayed to 2021 due to COVID-19 disruptions. Subsequent issues, including defects found during testing, have placed the program under scrutiny by the FAA, which insists on the aircraft meeting all safety standards before entering service. Boeing is now facing pressure from both airlines and investors.

Boeing 777x Delay

New Commercial Airplanes expects to incur pre-tax charges of $3.0 billion related to the Boeing 777X and 767 programs.

The company forecasts a $2.6 billion pre-tax charge due to the updated timeline, which accounts for delays in flight testing for the 777-9 and the impact of the IAM (International Association of Machinists) work stoppage. The first 777-9 delivery is now expected in 2026, with the 777-8 freighter following in 2028.

Exploring the Boeing 777x: Highlights from the Debut at …

In addition, Boeing plans to conclude production of the 767 freighter, resulting in a $0.4 billion pre-tax charge. From 2027 onwards, the company will solely produce the 767-2C aircraft for the KC-46A Tanker program.

In August 2024, Boeing grounded its 777X test fleet after detecting a failure in a key engine mounting structure during a routine inspection. The new boeing 777x, powered by the GE9X engine, is the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, but this issue has caused further setbacks.

Boeing 777x, A close-up of the engine, landing gear, and wing

Comparison of 777x vs A350

Meanwhile, the Airbus A350 continues to secure new orders from airlines, becoming a strong competitor in the wide-body aircraft segment. While the a350 vs b777 offer similar ranges, the 777X is designed to carry a heavier payload.

In other developments, Boeing has hinted at starting production of a new mid-sized aircraft, the Boeing 797, which would likely compete with the Airbus A321 XLR.