Air India A350 bookings open for domestic sector, new aircraft to fly from Jan 22

Air India on Monday announced bookings have opened for its new and India's first of its kind Airbus A350, which is set to commence commercial service on January 22, 2024.

Initially, Air India's A350 aircraft will serve domestic routes for crew training and regulatory adherence. Passengers from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai can enjoy the Airbus A350's cutting-edge technology and comfort in Air India's striking new livery. The A350 will eventually operate extended flights across continents after this initial phase.

The first flight will be from Bengaluru to Mumbai.


"India's first Airbus A350 will enter commercial service on 22 January 2024," the carrier said in a statement. The A350 aircraft will be later deployed for longer-haul flights to destinations across continents," it added.

On December 23, 2023, the Tata Group-owned Air India had received India's first ever Airbus A350, registered as VT-JRA.

"This moment marks a red-letter day for all of us at Air India. The A350 is not just metal and engines; it’s the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airline’s continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks. It is also, in many ways, a declaration of Indian aviation’s resurgence on the world stage," Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India had said in a statement.

The A350-900 aircraft of Air India boasts a three-class cabin layout, accommodating 316 seats. This includes 28 private Business suites featuring full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with added legroom and amenities, and 264 spacious Economy seats. All seats feature the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens, promising an enhanced flying experience with fresh content for our onboard guests.

Air India had placed orders for 20 Airbus A350-900, with this being the first of the deliveries. Five more are scheduled for deliveries through March 2024. Air India, which plans to induct a total of six A350 planes in the first phase, will be the first Indian carrier to have this type of aircraft.

Among Air India's Airbus orders, there are 20 A350-1000.

Air India, which Indian conglomerate Tata bought from the government as it was burning taxpayer's money with piling losses and debt, is seeking a multi-stage transformation roadmap towards becoming a "world class global airline with an Indian heart."