Air India is in the middle of a massive transformation, as the airline has been privatized. Air India is planning major changes to the passenger experience, as the airline has ordered 470 new jets, and also plans to refresh the interiors of existing wide body aircraft.
Continue reading: Air India To Lease Singapore Airlines Boeing 777s
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Well, unless these aircraft are equipped with auxiliary oxygen systems they won't be able to be routinely deployed on Delhi to North America routes which optimally require usage of the P500 airway in Kabul FIR that has a higher minimum sector altitude. This is the problem with the ex-Delta 777-200LRs and why they can only be deployed on ULH routes from Mumbai and Bengaluru rather than Delhi since they aren't equipped, while Air India's own original -200LRs are.
They are equipped with auxiliary oxygen systems, but I'm not sure about the EY 77Ws that are also coming
As long as the concerns mentioned by Sean M. are addressed, it seems like operating the 300ER than the 200LR makes more sense for AI, which currently operates DEL-SFO as its only flight which may need the 200LR. Probably the driving reason for leasing these aircraft rather than maintenance, as cited in the article.
At MTOW, the ER can theoretically just cover BLR-SFO. Probably AI will not operate at full MTOW to have buffer. Also, AI is not replacing all its LRs, just the older AI ones. There were some rumors that these aircraft would be out of service for remodeling of the interior - I guess this plan has changed?
Air India is growing fast. It will be interesting to see their final fleet in 10 years. Will they be super successful? Surely, with the backing of the TATA group. Will these additional aircraft reflect the AI new livery? Hope so.
Consistency - They're all better between DL, SQ and EY (upcoming) but different.
Hope the interiors fare better than the filth one experiences on AF, AA or BA metal.
Heck yeah, I'm looking forward to Air India flying these premium planes on long-haul routes to North America. Not only do they have great premium cabins but they have the most modern 3-3-3 configured economy class in the world as well. Too bad there aren't also Singapore Girls on these planes.
I'm guessing the 5 Delta configured 777-200LRs left will be dedicated to their three SFO routes which need the range.
Airlines no longer need consistency. AA use to have 5 different biz class seats. AF has at least 3 or 4 different biz seats. DL took over Latam's A350 and even they kept their seats as is for now. It's a different world now.
AIR INDIA AIRLINE IS BAD AIRLINE BECAUSE OF PEOPLE WHO WORK AT AIR INDIA , NO RESPONSIBILITY AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY OF EMPLOYEES . YOU WATCH MY BACK , I WILL WATCH YOUR BACK . ALL INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES ARE REQUESTED TO KINDLY START FLYING TO (ATQ) AMRITSAR , INDIA IF YOU WANT TO MAKE MONEY .
Amristsar? Yeah right. Could you tell me exactly how that route is lucrative apart from a couple of UK routes? If so then we would have seen the Big 3 of the M.E start operations ages ago. First of all Amritsar needs a new airport to even remotely consider expanding operations and improve passenger numbers. Which sadly to say is not going to happen anytime soon and second things I would like to point out is that AI after the acquisition has improved tremendously in terms of performance and service, refurbishment of the cabins are due to happen by next year which will improve the passenger experience and cleanliness of the aircraft.
Privatization of Air India has not resulted till date a better inflight experience for its patrons or providing value for money. For example, a lucrative Chennai to Singapore direct flight is highly overpriced as compared to Singapore Airlines and Indigo when tickets are booked atleast 2 weeks in advance. Inflight experience is not worth a comment.
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Apart from the UK, Amritsar probably won't get any other major international routes. Air India is still growing fast and their service is improving daily. They are hiring thousands of new cabin crew to replace the older employees from the government era. Air India is something to watch out for as it will be one of the top airlines in India soon.
I think this is absolutely stupid. Rather than retiring there own 777-200lrs and replacing them with 777-300ers that used to belong to Singapore they should just focus on investing in better maintenance for there aircraft. The 777s from Singapore are from 2006 while the 77Ls from Air india are from 2009, it does not make much of a difference. The only difference is the ones from Singapore are maintained much better than the ones from Air India.
I booked AI LHR-DEL in F on 22 Oct. Right now equipment showing as 777-200LR (their old aircraft). Will the 777-200LR's be retired by then hence giving me either a SQ or EY aircraft?