[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

I doubt this as original. It looks like a photoshopped image. When you go to the link, it says that this is the first A350 of Air India registered as VTXWB which doesn't show up in FlightRadar 24.

Work of someone like Aeroconcepts. Besides, Air India's A350s will be getting VT- JR series registrations - as a tribute to JRD Tata and the first of which will be VT- JRH.

[V.Narayan]

Air India Group to take delivery of a new aircraft every six days.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...5.cms?from=mdr

Glad to see Air India's large order taking shape and getting some blue sky under the wings. Indigo urgently needs competition to keep them honest. I hope Air India gets its service act in order.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Work of someone like Aeroconcepts. Besides, Air India's A350s will be getting VT- JR series registrations - as a tribute to JRD Tata and the first of which will be VT- JRH.

Is there a registration VT-JRD planned for any of the new planes being inducted? That would be nice touch in memory of JRD Tata!

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Is there a registration VT-JRD planned for any of the new planes being inducted? That would be nice touch in memory of JRD Tata!

Air Asia India had an A320 painted in a tribute livery (The Pioneer) to JRD Tata and it was aptly registered as VT-JRT.

It now flies with AIX Connect( with Air Asia titles removed)





Secondly, VT-JRD registration was used on a Tata Steel Beechcraft till the mid-2000s. The aircraft is no longer active though and the registration can be re-used

[volkman10]

Air India starts rollout of new global brand identity. On-ground rollout begins with Delhi and Mumbai airports, with others to follow in quick succession.

[fhdowntheline]

Have Air India started deploying the A350s? Never even saw a video of an "welcome shower" at DEL/BOM if or when they arrived.

[B747fan]

Originally Posted by fhdowntheline

Have Air India started deploying the A350s? Never even saw a video of an "welcome shower" at DEL/BOM if or when they arrived.

The A350s are due to arrive in India shortly, with the current timeline being within this month.

[B747fan]

Originally Posted by B747fan

The A350s are due to arrive in India shortly, with the current timeline being within this month.

Update on this: According to credible sources, the first of the A350s is due to arrive in Delhi tomorrow.

[B747fan]

Originally Posted by B747fan

Update on this: According to credible sources, the first of the A350s is due to arrive in Delhi tomorrow.

The first of the A350s on order, registered VT-JRA has landed in Delhi



Source: https://x.com/shukla_tarun/status/17...PCcjcbb1gQM-2w

[sgiitk]

They have inherited an ageing fleet. Any amount of Repainting and reupholstry will not cover it up. Thus we have to await the new planes.

Also, the staff has not pulled up their socks. Many of the cabin staff are getting old and cannot change attitude's. So some change and retraining is called for. Could be some were hired for other considerations.

Same they are often slow in customer relations. There are too many instances of flights being delayed with no explanation to the customers.

[volkman10]

Air India welcomes first Airbus A350 aircraft sporting new brand livery.





The aircraft landed in New Delhi at 1:46 pm from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. The delivery flight, operated using a special call sign AI350, was welcomed by Air India representatives. Air India’s Senior Commander Captain Monika Batra Vaidya, who is among the first few Indian pilots to be trained on A350, was on board as an observer.

The A350-900 aircraft from Air India features a three-class cabin arrangement, offering a total of 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace.

This includes 28 exclusive Business Class suites equipped with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats featuring additional legroom and various distinctive features, along with 264 roomy Economy Class seats.

All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens to provide superior flying experience.










Scheduled for commercial operations in January 2024, the A350 will commence its service with domestic flights for crew familiarisation. Subsequently, it will embark on longer-haul journeys to destinations spanning various continents. The detailed schedule for A350 commercial operations is expected be disclosed in the coming weeks.

The aircraft is first of Air India’s 20 Airbus A350-900 on order, with five more scheduled for deliveries through March 2024. Air India’s firm orders for 250 new aircraft with Airbus include 20 A350-1000

Link:

[volkman10]

Air India A350 while leaving for India from Toulouse finally, to land today at Delhi Airport.




Air India crew in all new uniform with CEO Campbell Wilson.



And here is the second best thing when a new big flying machine arrives : (first being the smooth landing)
The water salute!







Link:

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

Air India finally handed over to Tata today.

Attachment 2265664
Official Statement from Tata Sons.
Attachment 2265666
Press release by Ministry of Finance.

Originally Posted by volkman10

Air India handed over to Tata Group - Amul's Tribute
Attachment 2266241

Tata bought Air India two years ago to the day. And some of us, even loyalists like me, are still waiting patiently for the eureka moment of significant improvement on service levels. When Tata, Oh when.

There are still far too many complaints of defective seats and IFE {In Flight Entertainment}, dirty loos {ok pax have a big contribution here}, flight delays, etc. The goodwill of the Tatas + the way Indigo are shooting themselves in the foot + lack of a large 3rd alternative all together are still holding the sky up for Air India.

It is said that in 2024 - 2025 the entire wide body fleet will undergo a strip and rebuild of the interiors. It is believed Tatas have budgeted $400 million for this refurbishment and expect the wide body fleet of 16 Boeing 777's and 27 Boeing 787's to be completed by December 2025. I wonder what stopped them from doing this one/two aircraft at a time over the last 18 months - funds, finalization of new designs, selection of the seats and IFE maybe. What about the narrow body fleet of the domestic sector?

This month I did one business class and two economy class domestic sectors on Air India. Service was okay - satisfactory - nothing to complaint or write home about.

I'm sure there are a hundred problems and vested interests of the PSU days that Tatas are tackling at Air India. I wish them well and hope they move a little faster. The market is theirs for taking.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

I'm sure there are a hundred problems and vested interests of the PSU days that Tatas are tackling at Air India. I wish them well and hope they move a little faster. The market is theirs for taking.

Time Mr. Narayan, it’s going to take time. With the deep hole in every way (attitude, staff numbers etc) that Air India had dug themselves into, plus the fickle airline industry, two years is a very short time. I would say a five year horizon would be more suited for the kind of changes needed to bring it to its past glory.

Here’s hoping Air India does eventually make it to the pinnacle.

Cheers

[V.Narayan]

Survey rates Air India's business class on international sectors as the 4th worst just ahead of Kuwait Airways, Egypt Air and Copa Airlines {flag carrier of Panama}

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india...67324-amp.html

Survey rates Air India's business class on international sectors as the 4th worst just ahead of Kuwait Airways, Egypt Air and Copa Airlines {flag carrier of Panama}. The survey measured carriers on factors such as cabin and seat comfort, inflight service, entertainment and amenities to reveal the world’s worst airlines for business-class travellers. The survey highlighted Air India’s cabin seats being the biggest problem with its business-class facilities. The survey was conducted by Bounce, a UK-based agency using inputs from online forums. Highlighting the methodology of the rankings, Bounce said, “For each airline, we looked at reviews from BusinessClass.com (a travel search engine), which gives each airline a score out of ten on the factors like airport experience, cabin and seat cuisine, beverages, service entertainment amenities and facilities… reviews were available taking an average of all seven scores for each airline.”

Speaking for Air India the sample selection that naturally followed by using a Western travel search engine would be affecting the results for sure. I have never heard of this search engine. The same survey listed, hold your breath and sit down, Heathrow as the world's best airport for business class services!!! <emoji rolling eyes and fainting>. Doha and Munich came in at places 2nd and 3rd. This 'best airport for business class' bit confirms my doubt about sample selection bias. Heathrow is high up on my list of one of the worst airports to enter or leave from. Forget business class even first class under British Airways reeks of rudeness and utter callousness not to mention their hour long queues at immigration.

However, this does not take away from the fact that Air India has a long climb up the ladder starting with their broken seats. I'm flying DEL-LHR-DEL in business class in March and after some thought booked Air India instead of British Airways because I simply do not wish to deal with the rudeness of the BA staff. I'll still have to cope with the serpentine queues at Heathrow immigration though.

Come on air India, buck up, we are rooting for you.