Air India is in the process of reinventing itself, after being privatized. This is quite a project, and part of this includes taking delivery of 470 new aircraft over the coming years, in order to modernize the fleet.
Air India has been acquiring new Airbus A350s, which are the carrier’s new flagship long haul aircraft. For several months, these planes exclusively operated domestic flights. As of May 2024, we saw the airline launch its first short haul international routes with these planes, to Dubai. Then the airline recently announced plans to fly its flagship aircraft to London, and now the airline has revealed plans to fly it to New York. Let’s go over all the details.
In this post:
Air India flying A350s to Dubai, London, New York
Since late 2023, Air India has taken delivery of six Airbus A350-900s. Through the end of April 2024, these planes exclusively operated domestic sectors, for crew familiarization and to work out any kinks. Specifically, they primarily flew between Bangalore (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD), and Mumbai (BOM).
While it’s great to experience the plane on a domestic flight, many have been looking forward to these planes flying internationally, as it’s where the added comfort makes more of a difference. There’s now an update regarding which routes these planes will fly.
Air India’s current international A350 routes
Between May 1 and September 30, 2024, Air India is offering daily A350 flights between Delhi (DEL) and Dubai (DXB). Specifically, the Airbus A350-900 is operating the following service, which was previously operated by the Boeing 787-8:
AI995 Delhi to Dubai departing 8:45PM arriving 10:45PM
AI996 Dubai to Delhi departing 12:15AM arriving 4:55AM
At 1,360 miles, this flight is blocked at 3hr30min westbound and 3hr10min eastbound.
Furthermore, between June 1 and September 30, 2024, Air India is offering daily A350 flights between Mumbai (BOM) and Dubai (DXB). The Airbus A350-900 is operating the following service, which was previously operated by the Boeing 787-8:
AI983 Mumbai to Dubai departing 8:25PM arriving 9:55PM
AI984 Dubai to Mumbai departing 11:40PM arriving 4:20AM (+1 day)
At 1,198 miles, this flight is blocked at 3hr westbound and 3hr10min eastbound.
Dubai seems like an appropriate first destination for the A350. For years, the Gulf carriers have basically been the de facto national carriers of India. Now Air India is fighting back, and will fly a plane to Emirates’ hub that might just have a better product than what Emirates offers. I imagine the route selection here is no coincidence.
Air India’s future international A350 routes
Air India will start operating the A350 on long haul international flights, as of later this summer.
As of September 1, 2024, Air India will offer twice daily A350 flights between Delhi (DEL) and London (LHR). The Airbus A350-900 will operate the following two frequencies, which are currently operated by Boeing 777-200LRs and 777-300ERs:
AI161 Delhi to London departing 2:45AM arriving 7:30AM
AI162 London to Delhi departing 9:45AM arriving 10:50PM
AI111 Delhi to London departing 6:45AM arriving 11:30AM
AI112 London to Delhi departing 1:15PM arriving 2:05AM (+1 day)
At 4,191 miles, this flight is blocked at 9hr15min westbound and 8hr20min to 8hr35min eastbound.
Then as of November 1, 2024, Air India will offer daily A350 flights between Delhi (DEL) and New York (JFK). The Airbus A350-900 will operate the following frequency, which is currently operated by the Boeing 777-300ER:
AI101 Delhi to New York departing 2:05AM arriving 7:55AM
AI102 New York to Delhi departing 1:30PM arriving 12:45PM (+1 day)
At 7,318 miles, this flight is blocked at 15hr20min westbound and 13hr45min eastbound.
Then as of January 2, 2025, Air India will offer daily A350 flights between Delhi (DEL) and Newark (EWR). The Airbus A350-900 will operate the following frequency, which is currently operated by Boeing 777-200LRs and 777-300ERs:
AI105 Delhi to Newark departing 1:50AM arriving 6:55AM
AI106 Newark to Delhi departing 11:15AM arriving 11:30AM (+1 day)
At 7,313 miles, this flight is blocked at 15hr35min westbound and 13hr45min eastbound.
What to expect on the Air India A350
Air India’s Airbus A350-900s feature a much improved passenger experience, though the first six planes don’t have Air India’s new signature interiors. That’s because these planes were initially intended for Aeroflot, but due to sanctions, the airline couldn’t taken delivery of them. As a result, Air India was able to acquire these jets with little advance notice.
This also means that Air India is inheriting the Aeroflot interiors that were planned for these aircraft initially, with only minor changes being made to the cabin finishes, to reflect Air India’s branding.
These planes feature 316 seats, including 28 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 264 economy seats. I’ve flown a Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900 that was also initially intended for Aeroflot, which gives you a sense of what to expect.
In business class, these planes feature the Collins Aerospace Horizon product, which is a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, with direct aisle access and doors at each seat. I rank this as being among the world’s best business class seats.
Meanwhile in premium economy, seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration.
As you’d expect, economy is in a 3-3-3 configuration, which is standard for the jet.
As a reminder, below is what Air India’s new business class will look like, once the airline starts taking delivery of jets that weren’t intended for other airlines.
I’m excited to review the Air India A350!
It’s fascinating to watch Air India’s rebirth, and so far I’m very impressed by the initiatives we’re seeing. Some people have been asking why I haven’t reviewed the Air India A350 yet, and that’s because I’ve been wanting to wait for the plane to make its long haul international debut, once Air India is offering its new soft product.
I figured taking the Dubai route wasn’t worth it, since Air India doesn’t offer its full long haul international experience on such a short flight. However, with Air India soon flying the A350 to the United States, you can bet that I’ll finally be giving the “new” Air India a spin, shortly after that route launches with the A350.
I’m just waiting to get confirmation on when Air India plans to roll out its new soft product (amenity kits, tableware, etc.). After all, that’s a key part of what I’d like to experience.
Bottom line
Air India has started flying the Airbus A350 on international routes. The A350 is currently operating flights to Dubai (DXB). Then as of September 2024, the A350 will operate flights to London (LHR), then as of November 2024, the A350 will operate flights to New York (JFK), and then as of January 2025, the A350 will operate flights to Newark (EWR).
I’m excited to see that Air India’s best new aircraft is coming to the United States soon!
What do you make of Air India’s first international routes?
When are they launching A350 flights between MUM and LAX and also any plans for DEL and LAX?
I wish them success but I'm not ready to fly Air India just yet.
Interesting route choice for US - I had wondered if SFO-BLR would be the first to get it since you get much better economics on the longest hauls (A350 vs 77L) but I wonder if its the yield that trumps the scales (and feed since there's a lot more connecting traffic possible with JFK/DEL).
Given that all of the long-haul A350 routes are set to replace Boeing 777 routes, what will happen to their 777s? Dulles used to be a 777 but has since been reduced to a 787. Supposedly DEL-IAD is right at the edge of the 787-8's range.
Figured they would've announced firm plans for the long-anticipated LAX and DFW nonstops.
Seems they're more interested in lowering costs on current runs, than using these aircraft for expansion. Not really a surprise.
Air India might have had plans to use the B777-200LR aircraft on the routes to DFW and LAX in 2025, after A350 replaces the aircraft on the existing popular long-haul routes.
AI 161-162 is currently operated by a B787. On both of my recent flights, the interiors were in pretty bad condition and hopefully, all these frames get pulled out for refurbishment. The positive was good food & service and the flights arrived a bit early. The EY B77W frames based in BOM are much better relatively.
Expected to see those new flights for newly announce Seattle route
High time this happened. Hope they replace the 777Ls on the SFO-India route soon.
What happened to First class?