Airlines

Air India’s Revamped Loyalty Program Takes Off with Exciting Changes

Air India to Upgrade Fleet with Retrofit of 100 Planes, CEO Says

Air India, one of India’s leading airlines, has unveiled a significant overhaul of its loyalty initiative, now rebranded as the enhanced Flying Returns program.

This comprehensive update aims to provide a more streamlined framework, user-centric functionalities, modernized membership levels, and a vibrant new look, promising enhanced convenience, rewards, and acknowledgment for its participants on a global scale.

Breaking away from its conventional mileage-based model, the revamped Flying Returns program represents a significant shift after over a decade. Under the new structure, members will now accumulate points based on money spent rather than miles traveled, fostering a fairer and more balanced system. This fundamental change reflects Air India’s commitment to adapting to evolving customer needs and preferences.

Key features of the enhanced program include no expiry of points for active members, elimination of blackout dates, consistent tier privileges, and the ability to collect and redeem points across Star Alliance partner airlines worldwide. Moreover, a new customer-friendly digital interface has been introduced to provide a seamless platform for transactions, enhancing the overall user experience.

According to Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer, the revamp of Flying Returns signifies a pivotal step in the airline’s customer-centric approach. Aggarwal emphasized that the transformation was guided by extensive customer feedback and benchmarking against industry best practices, resulting in a more robust and value-driven loyalty program.

As part of its strategy to enhance travel benefits, Air India plans to introduce co-branded credit cards and forge partnerships with other brands. To further incentivize direct bookings, members will earn an additional 2 Reward Points for every Rs 100 spent through the Air India website or app, applicable across all tiers.

In a bid to streamline operations and align with global standards, Air India has revamped its status tiers, replacing long-form titles with simpler terms: red (base tier), silver, gold, and platinum. This renaming reflects the airline’s commitment to clarity and consistency in its loyalty program offerings.

Airlines

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

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.