Airlines

First Qantas group A220 on Assembly line as Australians invited to name new fleet

Construction of the first Airbus A220 aircraft for the Qantas Group has begun, marking a significant turning point for the company as its fleet renewal programme picks up speed.

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The centre and rear fuselages, as well as other significant airframe parts, are being assembled at Airbus’ production site in Mirabel, Canada, and the first of the 29 aircraft is anticipated to land in Australia by the end of the year. The aircraft will go through regulatory approvals, airport readiness checks, and training exercises before it enters the QantasLink fleet in early 2024 as the first A220 to be operated in Australia. Additionally, QantasLink has started training its pilots to fly the new planes.

The Boeing 717 fleet that runs routes throughout Australia will progressively be replaced with the new generation A220 aircraft. Between Melbourne and Canberra, the first QantasLink A220 will fly, with more aircraft being deployed to other regional and domestic network locations. The A220 is anticipated to open up new domestic and short-haul international routes when more aircraft are added to the fleet since it has a range that is double that of the 717.

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The Qantas Group is asking Australians to help name its new A220 fleet, based on the idea of “native wildlife,” now that construction is in full swing. Australians can submit up to six names starting today via a special page on qantas.com. Before the official names are released, a shortlist will be made public so that the public can vote on their preferences.

To suggest names for the new QantasLink A220 fleet, visit qantas.com/a220name by 8 August 2023.

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.

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“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.