{"id":58396,"date":"2024-03-13T20:37:15","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T15:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=58396"},"modified":"2024-11-08T14:34:52","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T09:04:52","slug":"air-india-new-a350-business-class-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/13\/air-india-new-a350-business-class-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Flight Review: Air India New A350 Business Class, Is it Worth A Try? | Exclusive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MUMBAI-<\/strong> Air India’s (AI)<\/a> new A350 has certainly created a stir in the aviation community and I was certain to try it once before it gets deployed on the international routes. I booked a Premium Economy seat in AI 0589, a two-hour flight from Mumbai (BOM)<\/a> to Chennai (MAA). Luckily, I got upgraded to business class by the airline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are multiple first-impression articles\/videos on this new flagship aircraft, this review is mainly about the business class in the aircraft. While Air India has managed to offer comfort, it certainly is a few steps away from providing that \u2018true business class experience.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Bhavya Velani\/ Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India A350 Business Class Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But before we begin, the post is written by Ramprasath K, a frequent flier and guest author for Aviation A2Z<\/em>. If you want to share your story with the world, share it with us at contact@aviationa2z.com<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All photos shared here are copyrighted work of Ramprasath K if otherwise stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Highlight:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Air India AI589<\/strong>
Aircraft Type: Airbus A350-900<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date of travel: Thursday, February 08, 2023
Departure: Mumbai (BOM), 10:05 AM
Arrival: Chennai (MAA), 12:05 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Seat: 1G (Business)
Meal Service: Breakfast<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Check-in and Security:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Upon arriving at the terminal, to my dismay, there were no separate domestic counters for priority check-in! I approached the help desk, who then directed me to the international check-in counters. It appeared that the check-in process for non-economy classes was integrated for both domestic and international travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Mumbai
Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mumbai
Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While this combined approach works well in smaller airports, it led to some confusion at one like Mumbai\u2019s. While the priority check-in counters didn\u2019t have a long queue as anticipated, there were a few minor hiccups – the staff couldn\u2019t find the \u2018Priority<\/em>\u2019 baggage tag and had to call someone to get it from the domestic counters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The template of the boarding pass handed to me belonged to that of an Economy class. While I don\u2019t have a problem with that, it would certainly confuse the TSA at the express lane when you show up there holding a boarding pass that reads out \u2018Economy\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I mentioned, I had originally booked a premium economy ticket, which got upgraded to business only during the boarding. Hence, I had to go through the regular security lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in general, like most other airports, business, and first-class ticket holders can take the dedicated express lane for security checks in Mumbai. Business class tickets also entitle you to access the airline\u2019s exclusive lounges<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Boarding:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The delayed arrival of the aircraft from its previous leg made me certain of the imminent delay in the departure. In fact, I noticed it touch down the runway in Mumbai at around 9:05 AM with a 20-minute delay. The aircraft taxied down and was connected to the aerobridge by around 9:15 AM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can I say – the A350 is magnificent and shining in the new livery! Standing at the terminal, I watched the cleaning, loading of baggage & catering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Bhavya Velani\/ Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finally, the boarding commenced around 10 AM, just five minutes before the scheduled departure time. Despite the delay, only one out of the two boarding counters at the gate was put into use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 35-seat changes (including cabin upgrades), coupled with the delay, put the ground crew under stress. One couldn\u2019t help but notice the visible confusion and the many phone calls that were exchanged among them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, they managed to put up a smile whenever a passenger approached. The priority boarding wasn\u2019t missed out in this hoax – the passengers were called out in the order of their seating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boarding continued for another 20-30 minutes until the huge aircraft was filled. (Meanwhile, the IndiGo <\/a>counter at the adjacent gate completed boarding for two of their aircraft.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Business Class Cabin:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

First of all, these were not business class seats but suites! Usually, domestic carriers (including the older Air India aircraft) have just wider seats in a 2+2 or 2+3+2 configuration. The ones in the A350 were rather individual suites like those in five-star carriers and came with a 1+2+1 configuration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All these individual pods come with a fully lie-flat seat, a cubby\/foot-rest, a table-top with a lamp, a vanity cabinet with a mirror, a coat stowaway, cabin doors for full privacy, sliding dividers in case of middle seats, a 21-inch HD touch screen, charging ports, facet & reading lights and direct aisle access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The business-class cabin as a whole exudes a warm and plush vibe, enhanced by the purple hue, the light-coloured lining, and the ambient lighting. There were two lavatories, one on each aisle, with occupancy indicators. Both were well stocked up with toiletries, and all the controls were touchless, surprisingly, except for what would be the most used – the soap dispenser!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The pushback was finally initiated at 10:25 AM. Before the safety briefing, I was handed a cold towel and a welcome drink. The options included buttermilk and cold-pressed orange juice. While I cannot ascertain if it is cold-pressed or not, I can certainly say that it isn\u2019t your typical packaged fruit juice. There were four capable flight attendants (2 males and 2 females) assigned to the 28 suites in the business class cabin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The safety briefing did not sound like a recorded one as opposed to the usual one, but rather, one of the flight attendants spoke it out live, which to me is overkill. The three-point seat belts come with an additional shoulder strap (like those in cars) but are detachable from the main belt if one finds it uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) In-flight Entertainment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Every seat gets a 21-inch Panasonic HD flatscreen and a mini controller\/remote attached to the seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The in-flight entertainment system supports 6 languages and leaves almost no room for complaints, offering a decent collection of Hollywood and regional movies, TV shows, and a kids\u2019 section. As a gaming enthusiast, I was unexpectedly delighted when the mini controller doubled up as a joystick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The two cameras on the A350 – one on the tail and another under the belly – provide a live feed to the screen. There was also live tracking, comprehensive airport details (of almost all airports across the world), and an exclusive HUD for AvGeeks providing live flight data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Overall, I\u2019m pretty happy with the IFE. One can\u2019t be easily bored, even on long-haul flights. The only bad thing is the quality of the earphones provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) Meal Options<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The menu offered several options for the main course, but none were particularly exciting. The meal itself was comparable to what I experienced in Vistara\u2019s Premium Economy a few months back, just with a couple more exotic items on the plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opting for the South Indian breakfast, I found it falling short of expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air India A350 Business Class Meal | Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The coffee was enjoyable – a freshly brewed cup with milk and sugar to taste – but it couldn\u2019t quite rival the Starbucks collaboration on Vistara (UK). Surprisingly, the cutlery lacked any Air India branding, not even on the towels. Perhaps this might come in handy if the cutlery were to be handled from a shared facility after the merger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ramprasath K | Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The flight attendant returned with another round of confectionery, presented in a nice basket. I didn\u2019t shy away from taking a muffin, but on the whole, the food was merely average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7) Rating: So, why not a 10 out of 10<\/strong>?!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After my meal, I reclined my seat all the way back, requested the hostess to close the cabin door, and settled in for the final 30 minutes of my flight, watching a Tamil movie. The comfort was exceptional. One would experience no fatigue even during an 8-10 hour journey. There were a few minor (or not-so-minor) inconveniences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Bhavya Velani\/ Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n