Air India, the flag carrier of India, is orchestrating a multifaceted evolution under its new ‘Vihaan’ five-year transformation plan. The transformation journey focuses on addressing Air India’s legacy issues, meeting evolving customer expectations, and attaining the highest standards of products & services befitting of a top-tier carrier. A part of Air India’s significant overhaul includes the debut of a much-enhanced product across its cabin classes. Passengers looking for premium air travel can look forward to Air India’s new business-class product, which will roll out in the next few years. Air India Business Class is a premium cabin class with a more comfortable and exclusive travel experience for high-paying customers. AI business class is a worthwhile investment for those who want a stress-free and relatively luxurious experience while flying.
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Air India Business Class offerings
Air India Business Class is a sought-after product for corporate and premium leisure travelers seeking a relaxed and pleasant journey. Dubbed ‘Executive Class,’ this elevated cabin offering is accompanied by a few exclusive benefits that enable discerning passengers to enjoy a refined flying experience. With AI, you can quench your thirst for premium experiences at a reasonable upgrade cost from economy to business class.
Air India customers flying in business class tickets can settle into spacious seats with a quilted plush feel. The spacious cabin offers ample legroom exclusivity and convenience for discerning travelers. Whether it’s a long-haul or regional flight, AI’s generous business-class cabin will ascend the customer’s journey to new heights of comfort.
Besides stretching out in plush seats, AI premium customers can enjoy a delightful dining experience. AI offers diverse menu options with delicious flavors to elevate your culinary journey. Customers can pick from a choice of entrees offered by professional cabin crew who deliver excellent service.
AI’s Exclusive Class offers an exclusive check-in facility, which means flyers won’t have to go through long lines at the check-in counter. Those who have gone through the traumatic experience of waiting in a lengthy queue at the counter will especially appreciate this facility. Dedicated check-in allows executive flyers to quickly carry out their check-in formalities and saves them valuable time.
Note: Business class flyers are allowed to bring 1 carry-on bag (weighing a maximum of 36 pounds) and 1 checked bag (weighing a maximum of 77 pounds).
Furthermore, Air India business class passengers can try various dishes, freshen up, and enjoy the luxury of private space at the airport lounge. They can grab a bite, finish their last-minute work, or simply relax in the lounge before boarding.
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Reasons to spring for Air India Business Class
Here are a few alluring reasons to consider springing for Air India Business (Executive) class:
- Elevated cabin experiences at a reasonable price point
Air India’s Business Class product doesn’t have a hefty price tag as other airlines. It’s within the price range of many customers since there’s no sky-high cost difference between economy and business class tickets. You can treat yourself to spacious seats and a premium onboard experience by purchasing AI’s executive class ticket.
- Spacious, lie-flat seats with ample legroom
You can settle into Air India’s spacious, lie-flat seats and travel in unrivaled comfort.
- Selection of delicacies with palatable flavor to tantalize your taste buds
You’ll get a full meal (appetizer, delectable entrée, and dessert) accompanied by wine (or soft drinks, tea, coffee, etc.) The attentive cabin crew offers top-notch hospitality and adds a personal touch to your culinary experience.
- Dedicated check-in facility and airport lounge access
The dedicated check-in queue presents a bespoke & expedited airport experience for premium Air India customers. The airport lounge is a much-needed space to escape the hustle & bustle, unwind, and calm your nerves before taking off for your adventure.
Air India Business Class: Shortcomings
Compared to the premier cabin offerings of other world-class airlines, AI’s executive cabin falls short of standard. The cabin interior is outdated, and many in-flight amenities are lacking. The worn-out interior requires a significant revamp, including the addition of latest-generation seats, an in-flight entertainment system, etc.
Unlike top-tier airlines like Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, etc., Air India doesn’t provide business-class flyers a comprehensive spectrum of privileges. As high-paying customers, business-class flyers expect to enrich their experience with supplementary privileges or an extensive array of exclusive benefits, which Air India miserably lacks.
To conclude, AI’s Executive Class is more of a ‘you get what you pay for’ kind of product. The carrier’s hard product is subpar and not very competitive, leaving room for improvement. While it offers a comfortable travel experience, it can add luxury touches like elegantly designed interiors, advanced ambient lighting, intuitive entertainment screens, signature amenity kits, etc.
Regarding soft products, passengers will appreciate the cabin crew’s service and delicious in-flight meals. Flight attendants’ prompt and hospitable service, friendly atmosphere, and impressive dining quality make Air India’s business class experience worthwhile.
Aircraft featuring Air India Business Class
Air India Business Class isn’t a mainstay in the Tata-owned carrier’s fleet and exists in certain aircraft types. The aircraft featuring Business (Executive) class are as follows:
- 122-seater Airbus A319-100 (8 business class + 122 economy class seats)
- 150-seaterAirbus A320-200 (12 business class + 138 economy class seats)
- 162-seater Airbus A320neo (12 business class + 150 economy seats)
- 182-seater Airbus A321-200neo (12 business + 170 economy seats)
- 192-seater Airbus A321neo (12 business + 180 economy seats)
- 316-seater Airbus A350-900 (28 business+ 24 premium economy + 264 economy seats)
- 238-seater Boeing 777-200LR (35 business class seats)
- 288-seater Boeing 777-200LR (28 business class seats)
- 342-seater Boeing 777-300ER (35 business class seats)
- 328-seater Boeing 777-300ER (40 business class seats)
- 256-seater Boeing 787-8 (18 business class seats)
Air India’s new business class unveiled
A few months ago, the Tata-owned carrier announced a complete overhaul of existing cabin interiors in its wide-body aircraft. The Indian flagship carrier will make a splashy debut for its all-new business-class product in the next few years. Air India will roll out the new executive seats on Boeing 787 and B777 aircraft.
The refurbished business cabin will feature Safran Unity seats in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration. The updated cabin configuration will offer all passengers direct aisle access and result in seats in some rows closer to the aisle and others to the windows. The custom-designed seats are flat and offer a private space accessed by a fully closing door. Customers flying in the new AI business cabin can utilize new onboard facilities like wireless charging, Bluetooth audio, etc.
Air India’s 777-300ER business class is currently laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration without privacy barriers and direct aisle access. The Boeing 787 wide-body also features a similar configuration, separating each seat pair by a console. These aircraft have an aged cabin interior, a small seatback entertainment screen, and limited in-flight amenities.
Air India Business Class: Where to fly?
Air India Business Class tickets provide convenient and stress-free access to the carrier’s comprehensive, far-reaching network. AI’s business class cabin is available on regional and long-haul international flights. You can fly on business class to AI’s popular international destinations in the US, UK, Germany, etc.
About Air India
Air India, the Tata-owned airline, is the second-largest carrier of air passengers in India after IndiGo. The flagship Indian airline operates a fleet of 129 aircraft to an extensive network spanning 80+ destinations nationwide and beyond. Headquartered in Gurugram, Air India consolidates its flight operations from its main hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and secondary hub at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport (BOM).
Over 9 decades of existence, Air India has seen plenty of highs and lows. Founded as Tata Airlines in 1932, the carrier was nationalized after WWII before finally reverting to Tata Group in 2022. Once a lucrative carrier, Air India racked up losses dangerously under the government’s ownership due to mismanagement. Tata Sons acquired the ailing carrier and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express in Jan 2022 and pursued their restructuring. The recently privatized Air India is taking substantial strides towards becoming a top-notch airline with an Indian heart. Guided by a multi-stage transformation roadmap, it has embarked on an ambitious journey of ruling the Indian skies again.
Destinations served by Air India
Air India flies to a prolific range of destinations, covering 84 cities in 37 countries across five continents. The carrier’s domestic network encompasses 44 destinations, including Patna, Chandigarh, Raipur, Delhi, Goa, Bengaluru, Kochi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and Chennai.
In addition to domestic flights, Air India provides regularly scheduled services to 40 international destinations. The Indian flagship airline has a strong overseas presence, and its international network covers some of the world’s longest non-stop flight routes. Notable overseas destinations Air India serves include Melbourne, Sydney, Vienna, Toronto, Copenhagen, Paris, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, London, New York, San Francisco, etc.
