Here’s a pleasant surprise, which most of us didn’t see coming…
In this post:
New Air India first class coming to A350-1000
Air India is currently trying to reinvent itself, and that includes introducing all-new cabins on its long haul aircraft. While Air India has already rolled out a new business class product, we know that the airline plans to introduce first class on newly delivered Airbus A350-1000s, and on existing retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs.
Here’s where it gets interesting, though — initially Air India was supposed to use the Safran Unity platform on these planes, and the idea was that first class would be more of a “business class plus” concept, in terms of actual seat comfort (essentially taking advantage of extra space at the bulkhead).
However, due to “supply chain issues,” and what not, Air India ultimately had to go with a different supplier for its new seats. Air India’s A350-1000s are expected to get the Recaro R7 as their business class product, which are staggered suites with doors (LATAM was the launch customer for these seats). One open question has been what kind of a first class product Air India would introduce, without sticking to the Safran Unity platform.
Well, now we have our answer. As reported by @LiveFromALounge, it has been revealed that Air India will use a customized version of the first class suite designed by Airbus.
I wrote about this last year, including the First Class Master Suite concept. Suffice it to say that this is better than some marginal “business class plus” product, and it’s also way better than the carrier’s existing first class. One big open question remains what Air India is planning for its 777 first class, since I believe this product is specific to Airbus.
Wait, is Air India’s first class going to be amazing?
There’s a very high level of customization possible with this seating concept. One thing is for sure — regardless of exactly which product Air India chooses, this will be way better than what was previously expected.
It seems that no matter what, the idea is that this will be in a 1-1-1 layout, so think of it as possibly being somewhere along the lines of Japan Airlines’ A350 first class, Lufthansa’s A350 first class, etc.
This also includes the First Class Master Suite concept, whereby you have one suite that’s especially spacious. Personally I suspect Air India won’t go too over-the-top with customizations, so I wouldn’t necessarily expect the full bedroom concept.
This is now one of the first class products that I’m most curious to see evolve. Among first class products on the horizon, I’m most interested in this one, Singapore Airlines’ new first class (for select retrofitted A350s), and Cathay Pacific’s new first class (for select upcoming 777Xs).
Bottom line
Air India will soon be debuting its new flagship Airbus A350-1000, and we now have more of a sense of what the interiors will be like. While the initial plan was for first class to be a rather modest “business class plus” hard product, that plan fell through, since the airline no longer plans to use the Safran Unity platform.
The airline will now be partnering with Airbus on new first class suites, and these could turn out to be very impressive. While there’s a high level of customization possible here, one thing seems highly likely — the airline will introduce a first class hard product that’s actually very competitive, and likely at the top end of the industry. Now, whether Air India can actually introduce a soft product to match remains to be seen…
What do you make of Air India’s first class updates?
I really hope the SQ influence on AI comes through. True Indian (India) hospitality and food is world class. They are simply phenomenal at making a guest feel welcome and truly at home.
I hope they succeed in this. I've seen too many awful Air India customer experiences to ever consider flying them without a night-and-day transformation.
It goes without saying, but Indian people also people know this, as you can clearly see at the transfer lines in DXB or DOH.
No surprise that the comments section turns into a firehose of sewage on any post related to India.
"That's the joke"
*McBain.gif*
The woke libtards in the comments getting their panties in a bunch is just sending me
Ben, are you too busy counting your commissions from pushing every credit card under the sun, that you forgot to moderate this thread for vile racist comments? Just asking.
I'm skeptical as hell of Air India, but I truly hope they manage to defy expectations and deliver a great first class product. If they actually do, I would fly it in a heartbeat.
Mel posts; “Who in their right mind would want to go to India”, it then goes on to repeat its ignorance with further nonsensical statements.
Mel, your posts do much to provide the reader with an insight into your intellectual capacity and world travel experience. Sadly, both are apparently beyond comprehension.
Trust me, there is life beyond your trailer park and local Walmart store.
Lol@aero. Yeah - my favorite was "I probably make more money in a month than you make in a year"
The Indians will think it is unlimited seating in these suites and want to bring all their family and friends especially with free food and drinks.
Given Air India lackluster performance in maintaining the cabins the cabins they already have, I wonder how these cabins will look like or more importantly smell after a short time.
Or, not assault them
https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/indian-man-arrested-for-allegedly-raping-woman-on-flight-to-australia
On this very website last year anti-Indian rhetoric was born with the bedbugs story. Perpetuated by bigotry posted by the uneducated, unworldly cattle class proletariat, with no cultural understanding or culinary knowledge we find ourselves with this fine collection of gobbledygook.
It is clear to anyone who has world travel experience, that very few who post herein, actually do so with any knowledge of the subject airline, country, culture, customs or real life beyond their...
On this very website last year anti-Indian rhetoric was born with the bedbugs story. Perpetuated by bigotry posted by the uneducated, unworldly cattle class proletariat, with no cultural understanding or culinary knowledge we find ourselves with this fine collection of gobbledygook.
It is clear to anyone who has world travel experience, that very few who post herein, actually do so with any knowledge of the subject airline, country, culture, customs or real life beyond their own county lines. Small minded people are adding only clicks to this article, along with their own self ridicule. The demise of the intellectual capacity of the commentators upon this thread is unrelenting. Thank you for outstanding display of pure ignorance.
I’d rather go to India than the Fascist States of America. There are many great things in the US, however until that government goes, and mango Mussolini and Vance are tried, no sane person should set foot there.
Ok Icarus- go there and enjoy food that tastes like a used filled baby diaper left in the hot sun for six hours.
Mel, you’re an ignorant chode. Please stay in your basement.
Whatever Icarus, I probably make more money in a month than you make in a year.
What on earth has money got to do with it ? Is it you Melania? Yes, probably on your back, legs akimbo. You’re proof money doesn’t bring class and intelligence. Clearly MAGA.
Anyone ever take a step back to think about why the libs always resort to name-calling? They're apparently the more educated, classier, better people and yet they act like children. In any case, if you're going to make fun of Trump at least use AI to come up with something funny.
I would use Shakespeare, as I have no need to resort to AI. Unlike 25% of US Americans, (or Reform voters) I’m educated and studied English literature. However MAGA are too dim witted to understand.
“The country tries to bully one into the belief in its power by its impressive bigness”. “Americans are great hero worshippers, and always take their heroes from the criminal classes”.
Oscar Wilde. Over 120 year ago and nothing has changed.
Coming from a Brit lecturing Americans about “dim wits” is genuinely hilarious. Your own culture is collapsing in real time from decades of unfettered mass immigration, grooming gangs, knife crime epidemics, and cities that feel like third-world enclaves, yet here you are, desperately clutching 120-year-old Oscar Wilde quotes like they’re a life raft for your superiority complex.
MAGA doesn’t need to “understand” your dusty literature to see what’s happening with their own eyes. Meanwhile, your...
Coming from a Brit lecturing Americans about “dim wits” is genuinely hilarious. Your own culture is collapsing in real time from decades of unfettered mass immigration, grooming gangs, knife crime epidemics, and cities that feel like third-world enclaves, yet here you are, desperately clutching 120-year-old Oscar Wilde quotes like they’re a life raft for your superiority complex.
MAGA doesn’t need to “understand” your dusty literature to see what’s happening with their own eyes. Meanwhile, your educated elites imported the very criminal classes Wilde warned about, then acted shocked when it all went to hell. Keep quoting dead Irishmen while London burns.
9C, well said. I too am tired of this liberal elitism & hypocrisy.
Always concerned too much on what happens around them, but never spends a minute or a dime to step themselves into the problem, and chooses to blame everything on cons instead - because why not.
Icarus - you do realise that India is also run by a fascist thug, don’t you?
I guess you only watch the world through the internet.
This clearly indicates that you are not well educated.
ME and my mind is doing just fine, thank you for asking.
Hilarious. They have to be trolling
This is super exciting! Can’t wait to see it in action. Hurry up AI!!!
The first class lounge that they have yet to open to public is small but very swanky with its own bar et al.
So this is cabin does not come as a surprise. Think they did do the right things but at a smaller scale.
LOL .. this will just be like the YT videos on Indian street food.
If you believe this, I have tons of bottled holy water from the Gangga for sale.
You're so smoove, and virile, and sexy, and rich.
Just kidding! Lol!
Pretty confident this is @my income is nine figures guy...
They better have dual screens for the double seats in the middle. One of Lufthansa’s most complained about aspects of the seat is the single giant screen for middle seats. Not every couple wants to watch the same things all the time, especially on very long flights.
I think we'll find out soon enough how popular these "rooms" are, because crawling over someone to get out of the bed isn't really a "feature" anyone wants (obvious sexytime jokes aside).
SQ seems to get it right by combining two suites, though the divider in the middle is in the way.
Will Golden Showers be offered or is that only a J cabin amenity?
Air France La Premiere has double screens, one in either side.
Yet does it smell spicy like Indian food ?
Add some spicy-smell air freshener .
You really are a disgusting bigot.
Aaron- how in anyway was his comment makes him a bigot?
Mel, are you and Alert the same person posting under a different name and email?
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
One could hope. I would pay extra for that over the mediocre food from the Big3 carriers.
It's unclear whether the first few A35Ks will have it. The later ones definitely will. The first one is sitting in storage, for J seat issues, after the Safran drama happened. Expected EIS some time later this year. Given its range, it should be able to do SFO-BLR/BOM/DEL nonstop without Pakistan airspace. Of course, with Pakistan airspace it's easy but the Indian government doesn't seem to be interested in making that happen.
LiveFromALounge confirms that first class is only from 2030. Makes sense considering how much Campbell Wilson used to talk about how long it takes to get customized first class seats.
I'll believe it when you see it and review it, Ben.