{"id":42121,"date":"2023-08-18T12:35:46","date_gmt":"2023-08-18T07:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=42121"},"modified":"2023-09-15T13:48:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T08:18:18","slug":"air-india-first-ex-etihad-boeing-777-delhi-london-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/18\/air-india-first-ex-etihad-boeing-777-delhi-london-route\/","title":{"rendered":"Air India to Deploy its First Ex-Etihad Boeing 777 on Delhi-London Route | Exclusive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DELHI-<\/strong> Tata-owned Indian FSC Air India (AI)<\/a> has scheduled its first ex-Etihad (EY) <\/a>Boeing 777<\/a> on Delhi (DEL)<\/a>– London Heathrow (LHR)<\/a> route from September 1, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline has signed a lease agreement to purchase six ex-Etihad Boeing 777-300ER. Out of these six, one named Kriya <\/strong>and registered as VT-AER<\/strong> was delivered on August 3, 2023. Further, the aircraft is approximately 10 years old and belongs to Altavair AirFinance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Athul Suresh \/ an_airsideian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Boeing 777 Route<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If we check on Air India’s official website, the airline flight results for Delhi to London for Sep 1, 2023, show the deployment of Boeing 777-300ER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The DEL-LHR route is currently served by the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The airline operates 2X and 3X daily flights on alternate days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read, Where does Air India Fly its Boeing 787 Fleet in 2023? | Exclusive – Aviation A2Z<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Seat Configuration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The airline will continue with the same seating configuration as used by Etihad Airways. This includes a three-class configuration and will have a total of 330 seats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the 777-300ER has 8 first-class seats or closed suites, 40 Business Class seats or flat bed seats, and 282 standard economy seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DGCA Registration for Six 777s<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On June 29, 2023, the Indian civil regulatory authority, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)<\/a>, registered the six Boeing <\/a>777s taken on lease by Air India (AI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the DGCA registration for upcoming Boeing 777s<\/a> and their Manufacture Serial Number (MSN).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Registrations are :<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) MSN 39686: VT-AEM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) MSN 39687: VT-AEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) MSN 39688: VT-AEO<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) MSN 39869: VT-AEP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) MSN 39690: VT-AEQ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) MSN 41701: VT-AER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from this, the airline also plans to lease three ex-Singaporean 777s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI to Lease Ex Singaporean 777-200ER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tata-owned Air India (AI)<\/a> is set to bolster its fleet modernization strategy by leasing three Boeing<\/a> 777 aircraft from Singapore Airlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This move comes in addition to the existing 11 leased 777 aircraft and aims to facilitate the gradual phasing out of the older 777-200 planes that were inducted in 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latter aircraft have drawn passenger fury over the years due to outdated cabins<\/a>, including crumbling seats, broken lavatories, and malfunctioning seat-back entertainment screens. Air India has officially announced the sale of these older aircraft to address these concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three Boeing 777-300 ER planes, which were retired by Singapore Airlines in 2021 as part of post-COVID-19 fleet adjustments, are well-maintained and boast four-class cabins. This includes first class and premium economy sections, reported Economic Times<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aviation A2Z<\/a><\/em> sources confirmed that these planes are parked at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Further, they have the registration 9V-SVK, 9V-SVM and 9V-SVN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, an ET source within the industry commented on the decision. He stated, \u201cThe 777-200 models are fuel guzzlers, accommodating only 238 passengers. Refurbishing them would be impractical.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, Air India\u2019s expansion plans involve returning 28 previously grounded aircraft to service and a confirmed order for new aircraft and engines exceeding $80 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on Telegram Group <\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air India to Deploy its Ex-Etihad Boeing 777 on Mumbai New York Route<\/a><\/blockquote>