NEW YORK- Tata Group-Owned Air India (AI) has introduced its flagship Airbus A350 aircraft for daily, non-stop flights between Delhi (DEL) and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Further, the airline has plans to expand the A350 service to Newark’s Liberty International Airport (EWR) five times weekly starting January 2, 2025.
Air India A350 Goes New York
The debut flight is operated by A350-900, registered as VT-JRI. The flight AI101 took off from Delhi at 2:49 AM local time (IST) and is expected to land at New York JFK at 7:40 AM local time (EDT).
The A350 rollout brings new features for New York-bound travelers, including revamped interiors, private suites in Business Class, a dedicated Premium Economy cabin, an advanced Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system, upgraded catering, and new serviceware.
This A350 launch, which recently began on the Delhi-London route, is part of Air India’s extensive transformation program following privatization.
The new Premium Economy cabin on the Delhi-New York route offers 24 extra-legroom seats in a 2-4-2 layout, marking Air India’s Premium Economy debut on U.S. flights.
In Business Class, Air India’s A350 introduces 28 private suites with a 1-2-1 configuration, each featuring a lie-flat bed, direct aisle access, sliding privacy doors, and a personal wardrobe. This configuration makes Air India the only non-stop carrier between India and the U.S. to offer private suites with sliding doors in Business Class.
Air India will soon launch onboard Wi-Fi on international A350 flights, allowing passengers to stay connected on their devices. The inflight connectivity service is expected in the coming weeks.
New Premium Experience
Air India’s A350 flights introduce an upgraded onboard experience, featuring enhanced menus, new serviceware, upgraded bedding, and refreshed amenity kits. Business Class guests receive Ferragamo amenity kits, while Premium Economy travelers enjoy TUMI kits.
All A350 cabin seats are equipped with the latest Panasonic eX3 IFE system, providing HD screens with over 3,000 hours of entertainment in 13 international and 8 Indian regional languages.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated, “The A350 symbolizes the ‘new Air India’ emerging from our 5-year Vihaan.AI transformation program post-privatization.”
Wilson noted exceptionally positive guest feedback since the A350’s launch on the Delhi-London route in September and expressed enthusiasm about bringing this experience to New York.
Wilson added that Air India’s full interior refit of existing aircraft, set to begin in 2025, along with its extensive new aircraft orders, aims to propel the airline to “new heights.”
US Flight Network
Air India currently operates:
- 5 flights per week between Delhi and Washington Dulles
- 7 flights per week between Delhi and JFK (New York)
- 7 flights per week between Mumbai and JFK
- 7 flights per week between Delhi and Chicago O’Hare
Air India also flies to San Francisco from 3 Indian cities:
- One daily flight from Delhi
- Four flights per week from Mumbai and Bangalore
Furthermore, Air India operates three weekly flights to Newark from Delhi and Mumbai.
Feature Image by Siddh Dhuri (@mumbaiplanes)
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