Aviation

Take a Glimpse Inside Air India’s First A350 Cabin at Wings India 2024

In a momentous occasion at Wings India 2024, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia today officially inaugurated the first Airbus A350, a recent addition to Air India’s fleet.

Take an Exclusive Tour of All Cabin Interiors: Premium Economy, Economy, Business – each meticulously designed to provide unparalleled comfort and luxury. air india new interior An exclusive kit, adorned with the iconic Air India logo, houses essentials for an elevated travel experience. Noteworthy features include the Vista-branded blanket and new China wear, adding a touch of luxury to the overall ambiance.

Here are the first photos ever of the @airindia premium economy cabin onboard the #A350-900 – VT-JRA.
Loving the @tumitravel kit, the vista branded blanket, the new China wear.
This is for sure the NEW world class #AirIndia ready to take on the #aviation world !#AvGeek #PaxEx pic.twitter.com/zYsNyJ3DZ8
— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) January 18, 2024

Step into the Future: Explore the innovative features and amenities that define the new world-class #AirIndia. The seating layout and Panasonic Avionics in-flight entertainment systems remain, ensuring a seamless transition for passengers.

Greetings from onboard @airindia #A350-900 VT-JRA. These are the first cabin photos of the aircraft from the #Hyderabad air show and VLO is ofcourse in Seat 1A 😎
Loving the business class seats, the brand new @Ferragamo ameniy kits, duvets and china wear.#AvGeek #PaxEx pic.twitter.com/ErLMilfWb1
— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) January 18, 2024

The Airbus A350 promises an exceptional flying experience with a range of amenities. does air india have wifi From a dedicated children’s channel to live TV, games, audiobooks, over 600 music albums, premieres, classic movies, and more – passengers are treated to a world of entertainment options.air india flying returns

Here the first photos ever 😎 of the economy cabin and amenities to be offered onboard the @airindia's (AI) #A350-900 !
I love how Indian the new #AirIndia is. It seems India inspired the team at AI at every step.#AvGeek #PaxEx pic.twitter.com/dX86kb9WD9
— VT-VLO (@Vinamralongani) January 18, 2024

Passengers aboard the Airbus A350 can look forward to an array of amenities that redefine the travel experience. Nearly 20 Boeing 777X aircraft have been ordered by Air India and are expected to be received next year.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.