Hello from Germany, as I just flew Air India’s Boeing 777-300ER first class on the 9hr25min flight from Delhi (DEL) to Frankfurt (FRA), as part of my current review trip. Truth be told, my main motivation with flying Air India’s first class was to check out the new Air India First Class Lounge Delhi, which didn’t disappoint.
What a spectacular experience, and clear example of what Air India could be as it tries to reinvent itself. The problem with visiting the Air India First Class Lounge is that you then have to fly Air India first class, which… is not very competitive.
On the plus side, my Air India first class flight actually wasn’t bad. The cabin was in better condition than some of the horror stories I’ve seen, I was the only passenger, the crew was lovely, and the food was tasty but basic. However, there’s little that’s first class about the experience, and I felt like the soft product was nearly identical to business class. Let me share some initial thoughts, and then soon I’ll have a full review.
In this post:
My Air India first class flight was pleasant, comfortable, and restful
My flight was supposed to be operated by one of Air India’s ex-Etihad Boeing 777-300ERs, featuring eight first class suites. That’s the best first class product the airline has, though it was swapped at the last minute with no warning to Air India’s “native” 777-300ERs, with just four first class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration.
We’ve seen some shocking stories of the extent to which these cabins are falling apart, so at least that wasn’t an issue. These planes were recently lightly refurbished, and the cabin was in relatively good condition, outdated as it was.
The only real maintenance issue I noticed is that my tray table was super lopsided, to the point that if anything was placed on the “outer” side, it would dip greatly, so I just kept everything toward the left part of the tray.
These planes don’t have Wi-Fi, and the IFE system is almost amusingly outdated, and feels like something out of the 2000s, at best.
But I do have to admit that I slept spectacularly well on this flight, probably the best I’ve slept on a plane in years. I’m a horrible airplane sleeper, and I managed to sleep six straight hours, which is unheard of for me.
I found the bed to be comfortable, especially as I could have unlimited pillows and blankets. Since I was the only passenger in first class, the cabin was kept perfectly dark and quiet the entire time, and the air nozzles helped with not feeling too hot.
If the goal of flying in premium cabins is to arrive well rested, then Air India first class gets a 10/10 score. Heck, I certainly arrived much more well rested than if I were flying Emirates first class, where I’d be guzzling Dom Perignon and shoveling caviar (okay, I’m slightly exaggerating on my consumption, but you get the point). 😉
I also have to mention that the crew was totally lovely, in particular, cabin manager Ritu.
However, there was nothing first class about experience
Here’s the part that confuses me about the Air India first class experience. In business class, Air India has very nicely upgraded its soft product, from food, to drinks, to amenities, regardless of whether your flight features old or new cabins. I’ve reviewed the carrier’s Airbus A350 business class and Airbus A320neo business class.
Meanwhile in first class, I found the service to be virtually identical to that in business class. Like, there was almost no soft product differentiation, with the exception of alcohol. It was the same pajamas as business class…
The same amenity kit (or at least very similar) to business class…
As far as I know, there was no difference when it comes to food, with the exception of it being dine on demand. I was on a flight departing at 4AM and landing at 10AM, and there was the choice of breakfast and dinner.
The thing is, I absolutely love Indian food, so I was quite happy. But when the presentation and everything is virtually identical to business class, one can’t help but be a bit confused. It just feels like Air India put a ton of thought into its business class soft product, and then put no thought into first class.
Below was the breakfast, which was tasty, but nothing memorable.
And then below was the lunch before landing.
You’d think that Air India was in American Airlines’ camp in planning to discontinue first class based on this, but it sounds like the airline intends to keep it around. I’m not surprised first class was empty, because this product just isn’t worth paying cash for. Heck, I’d say Air India’s new business class is better than the carrier’s old first class, all things considered (when you factor in things like entertainment and Wi-Fi).
I’m not even suggesting the airline needs caviar, or anything. Instead, how about a beautiful tea presentation? That wasn’t even offered.
On the plus side, the alcohol was a bit elevated. The champagne on offer was Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs, decidedly a step up from business class.
Bottom line
My Air India 777 first class experience was a mixed bag. On the plus side, it wasn’t as horrible as I was expecting based on the reviews I’ve seen. The cabin was woefully outdated, but in relatively good working order. The crew was also friendly, and the food tasted good but was basic.
The thing that surprised me is how little effort was put into the soft product. Even though this was a plane with old cabins, Air India has refreshed its soft product on all flights. It just seems like first class got the short end of the stick when it comes to updates.
What do you make of Air India’s 777 first class?
What’s scary is the inconsistency in both hard and soft product
How can you write this and not say what was on the menu or what wines were offered?
This is a first thoughts post, not a full review - Ben usually does quite a detailed thoughts post right after a flight (that outclasses many other bloggers' actual reviews, imo), but the full review (which comes out a bit later) goes through the nitty gritty detail.
@Ben, we you ushered to the plane by 3 people, like in 2016? ;)
For what it’s worth, my AI business class flight 2 weeks ago (VIE-DEL) had Charles Heidsieck Brut as champagne (even during pre-departure!), so even that may not be much of a differentiating factor anymore. Actual working seats may be a much higher % in First compared to business (3 out of 3 segments on 787 having to be re-seated for me!), so perhaps that is what separates them? ;)
They are awful.
"Not great, not terrible." I'd give it a score of... 3.6 (roentgen)
Small correction, AI is yet to refurbish its legacy 77Ws, so far they are just refreshing their cabins which is basically new carpets and seat covers. We must wait until 2017-28 for their first class product that AI is planning to install for their 777Ws.
How good is that bed! No tiny triangle shaped footrest where you can’t get any sleep. I’d take that for sure over the a350 Matt flew (as nice as it looked). They just need a bit more privacy (similar to the LH first class seat).
A couple of nice curries, good champagne and a large bed. All ticks in my review.
The most telling this about how Air India sees their old first class Vs how they see their new business class is that BHX is sent a 777 with F while LHR receives the 787 and A350 for their frequencies.
While the hard product looks better it clearly isn't good enough to move people from EK F and until they release their new one I imagine the soft product will remain that if. J+
Is the price a huge increase compared with business class? Starlux level pricing difference or just a modest surcharge? That might help justify the modest enhancements?
Good question, I'm curious too
@ Nikojas -- It's hard to judge the cost of airfare in a vacuum, since people fly between all kinds of city pairs. If you want to look at the cost of a nonstop, one-way ticket on Air India from Delhi to Frankfurt, I generally see first class costing $6,740, and business class costing $1,720, so that's quite a difference.
First class is still public transport- it's not a luxury product like what you'd get with a private jet, you're mostly paying for the space, relatively privacy, and opportunity to get a good rest. The AI product comes across as one that ticks all those boxes and isn't substantially inferior to what's offered by BA or LH. There's obviously room for improvement, but I imagine they'll be making more of an effort once they have...
First class is still public transport- it's not a luxury product like what you'd get with a private jet, you're mostly paying for the space, relatively privacy, and opportunity to get a good rest. The AI product comes across as one that ticks all those boxes and isn't substantially inferior to what's offered by BA or LH. There's obviously room for improvement, but I imagine they'll be making more of an effort once they have more new/refurbished planes in circulation.
*relative privacy
@ Throwawayname -- Respectfully, my take is exactly the opposite. Literally the point of a private jet is is to get space, privacy, and good rest. There's nothing inherently "luxurious" about the soft product on a private jet, since nothing is typically included (you can just cater it as much or as little as you want). Quite to the contrary, many airlines have opulent first class soft products that exceed what you'd find on the average private jet.
I’d agree. Flew private a few times for work (Chicago to New York mostly on the company shuttle). Convenient but hardly luxurious or opulent.
Worst thing is you can’t crack a beer until the most senior exec cracks a beer (definitely not me). I ended up choosing to fly American first most of the time just to be able to zone out and relax.
The point of a private jet is to get to your destination faster, on your own schedule, with minimal exposure to normie plebs. Time is money
@Ben, the private jet experience can be tailored to individual needs, that's what the luxury is all about- whether we're talking timing, routes, catering, bypassing terminals etc. First class runs on the airline's schedule and for most city pairs it involves an awkwardly-timed connection in eurobusiness or similar without any special ground amenities.
Just because there's people around doesn't mean it can't be a luxury product. That's like saying that a 3* Michelin restaurant isn't luxurious unless you book a private room there.
Compared to Business Class, it seems like the primary benefit of First on Air India's 773 is 1-2-1 configuration (as opposed 2-3-2), and access to AI's new First Class lounge, if departing from DEL; otherwise, nearly everything else is the same as J (pajamas, food, amenity kit, etc.)
The real question, Ben (and others), with the full-experience under-consideration, would you prefer new J suites on AI's a350, or F on 773? Matthew at LALF...
Compared to Business Class, it seems like the primary benefit of First on Air India's 773 is 1-2-1 configuration (as opposed 2-3-2), and access to AI's new First Class lounge, if departing from DEL; otherwise, nearly everything else is the same as J (pajamas, food, amenity kit, etc.)
The real question, Ben (and others), with the full-experience under-consideration, would you prefer new J suites on AI's a350, or F on 773? Matthew at LALF recently flew the a350 on a short hop from DEL-MEL, and seemed like a very nice, modern hard-product.
I fly this product between SFO and DEL frequently (did so just last Friday). It's a long flight, and there is much to be desired in terms of entertainment and frills, but it's direct(ish); recently, flights are routed through CCU. I enjoy the exclusivity, very comfy bedding for a deep rest to adjust to the time change, and the food - always delicious. If your objective is to rest well and arrive comfortably, and you...
I fly this product between SFO and DEL frequently (did so just last Friday). It's a long flight, and there is much to be desired in terms of entertainment and frills, but it's direct(ish); recently, flights are routed through CCU. I enjoy the exclusivity, very comfy bedding for a deep rest to adjust to the time change, and the food - always delicious. If your objective is to rest well and arrive comfortably, and you can write it off as an expense, this is a fine product. If however, you are paying for it, or you are seeking a solid entertainment system, then look elsewhere; although I generally see no point in paying out of pocket for first, ever.
Air India also offers dine-on-demand in Business Class, despite not advertising it. The crew have always been happy to serve meals whenever I’ve wanted to eat.
The Maharaja mug looks cute though.
I flew SFO-DEL in January and they were serving Charles Heidsieck blanc de millienaires (retail ~$300) and had a differentiated Ferragamo kit. Looks like they may have downgraded the soft product a bit, perhaps waiting for new first cabins before a full overhaul.
Air India needs to work more on differentiating its soft product in the first class cabin from business class product.
They still one of the airlines that are still gonna have first class. Would be interesting to see what hard product means of product looks like on the refurbished cabins.