DALLAS —When you think of Air India (AI), what do you envision? Is it the palace-like experience onboard their legendary Boeing 747s, the iconic Maharajah mascot, or perhaps the financial troubles the airline has faced over the years?
Regardless, Air India evokes mixed feelings among millions. The airline has seen its fair share of highs and lows throughout its 92-year history.
But things began to shift when the TATA group took over the airline from the Indian government and started implementing substantial changes. This restructuring included ordering over 400 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus to breathe new life back to AI's once decadent reputation.
Would the new Airbus A350-900 help Air India regain its status among regional competitors? To find out, Airway invited readers to join them onboard AI's A350 as it made its way from Chennai to Bangalore.
The A350-900 aircraft serves as the cornerstone of Air India’s ambitious plan to reclaim its former glory. The premium experience offered on this flight aims to attract back travelers who may have long sought alternatives.
One-way tickets were relatively cheap for what they offered, costing around 5040 Indian Rupees (about 60 USD) for business class. Flyers can enjoy generous luggage allowances, collectibles like delicious meals, and eye-catching cabin designs.
After booking the flight just three weeks prior, I was excited to check-in and experience what Air India had to offer. Arriving at Terminal 4 of Chennai International Airport proved smooth, as the airline provides dedicated lines for First and Business class passengers.
Chennai International Airport is India's fifth-busiest airport, with various airlines operating their services. This made check-in easier for the additional premium service offered by Air India.
Though the airline used to provide access to its own Maharaja lounge at Terminal 4, changes had relegated it to utilizing TFS Travel Club for its premium passengers. Spending time there before departure, the lounge boasted complimentary Wi-Fi, magazines, and hot meal options, with local cuisine featuring heavily.
With time at the lounge winding down, passengers were finally called to board. Unfortunately, organizing the boarding at silent Chennai airport, which lacks announcements, wasn’t ideal and saw delays for some travelers.
Despite the chaos, the friendly crew greeted everyone aboard the aircraft once on the shuttle bridge. A welcoming drink elevated spirits as the Thai-inspired lychee juice and cold towel eased the air of frustration.
Settling down at seat 06A, I admired the spacious design of the A350. Collin Aerospace Horizon seats have been installed with privacy doors, and each offers immense personal space, making them rather comfortable, even for taller individuals.
Air India's A350s are configured with direct aisle access, offering significant improvements over older aircraft with configurations like 2-3-2 or 2-2-2. The 79-inch fully flat bed makes it suitable for even those long-haul journeys I'm anticipating later this year.
The inflight entertainment system also got some positive attention, especially with the responsive 21.5-inch HD touchscreens. While I did find the selection of movies and shows pretty decent, as always, I was drawn to the inflight map and tail cameras.
I must also mention the airline’s new safety video. It creatively titled "Safety Mudras," incorporates various traditional dances and cultural representations from regions across India, adding to the onboard experience.
After some delays, we finally took off, with flight attendants quickly taking meal orders. The menu offered delicious options, with the chicken and vegetarian sandwiches standing out.
The vegetarian Achari Paneer sandwich did not disappoint, as it came beautifully presented with additional local snacks. Despite the short time frame of the 35-minute flight, the crew’s attentiveness was evident, as they frequently checked on guests.
Upon arrival, the aircraft made its way to Bangalore-Kempegowda Airport, touching down safely. We landed just slightly behind schedule, with crew members bidding us farewell, reminding everyone of the pleasant hospitality reminiscent of the golden years.
This experience left me astonished, especially considering my past reluctance to fly with Air India. The onboard service had levelled up significantly, proving the airline had made strides toward repairing its reputation.
Despite flying on one of the shortest domestic flights, the effort seems promising. The integration of Indian culture and comfort on board is refreshing and long overdue.
Yet, I still felt there could be areas for improvement, especially considering some passengers may not speak Hindi or English. Accessibility and communication can play critical roles, particularly during emergencies.
Despite these minor flaws, the experience with Air India did leave me optimistic for the future of the airline. If their recent steps can keep up, Air India deserves its place as one of Asia’s premium carriers.