Airlines

Why Qatar Airways retiring Airbus A380 Superjumbos? Here is the Reason.

Qatar Airways has announced that it will retire its fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos once deliveries of more fuel-efficient aircraft, such as the A350, commence.

CEO Akbar al-Baker said in a press conference at the Paris Air Show that the A380s were unexpectedly pressed back into service in November 2021 as a stop-gap measure to help deal with increasing demand when nearly half of Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350 fleet was grounded due to allegations of fuselage degradation. The A380s had initially been earmarked for retirement as the pandemic took hold.

Air France retires first Airbus A380(Opens in a new browser tab)

It turned out to be an unexpected comeback for a jet whose outspoken CEO Akbar Al Baker once described his purchase of the Superjumbos as “the biggest mistake” in the airline’s history.

One of the main reasons is that Qatar Airways wants to retire the A380 as soon as possible, because of its remarkable dedication to sustainability and the need to reduce its carbon footprint. With the airline’s forward-thinking strategy, CEO Al Baker has openly emphasized the significance of moving away from quad-engined aircraft, citing their higher fuel consumption and emissions as compared to modern, more eco-friendly alternatives.

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Qatar Airways is currently operating eight out of its ten A380s, with no intentions to restart the remaining two. The only thing holding the carrier back right now is the airline industry’s overall supply chain constraints.

Except for the ex-Cathay Pacific aircraft, the A380 is also the only mainline aircraft in the fleet of Qatar Airways that has an onboard bar and a real First Class cabin. Naturally, Qatar Airways has stated that an international First Class has no future and will be phased out along with the A380, exactly as it has done with the A380.

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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.