July 23 :
Flights from two American cities, New York JFK and Newark, to New Delhi will be serviced by Air India's flagship A350-900 aircraft, according to the airline. The airline has announced that the A350 service between New York and New Delhi will begin on November 1st, and that service between Newark and New Delhi will begin on January 2, 2025.
Air India's Premium Economy class will be introduced on the Newark-Delhi and New York JFK-Delhi routes for the first time with the A350 deployment, further improving the experience for passengers on these important routes. Extra legroom and other amenities will be provided by the 24 wide seats grouped in a 2-4-2 arrangement in the Premium Economy class.
There will be 264 roomy Economy seats organized in a 3-4-3 layout, 28 Business class private suites with full-flat beds in a 1-2-1 configuration, and Premium Economy on board the A350 aircraft. Air India's new distinctive soft goods and award-winning guest upgrades will also be available on board the A350 aircraft.
The CEO and managing director of Air India, Campbell Wilson, expressed his optimism about the great guest reaction they have got from the domestic deployment of their A350s to offer their hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. "This further demonstrates our dedication to ongoing improvement and represents a major step forward for our U.S. operations."
"Our passengers will experience the new Air India in terms of service and comfort with the introduction of our upgraded seats, in-flight entertainment systems, and soft goods. It is our firm belief that this upgraded service would further establish Air India as a front-runner in the industry and entice customers looking for an exceptional flight between India and the US," Wilson went on to say.
New or improved cabin interiors would be featured on 60% of all flights operated by Air India to the United States after the A350 is deployed. Airline upgrades include newer planes with better seats and entertainment systems, and the company has been gradually replacing older planes on other US routes.
With the exception of three flights per week between Delhi and San Francisco, the three-class configuration of Air India's Boeing 777-200LR allows for nonstop service between San Francisco and India (Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru). The cabin furnishings of these aircraft have been refurbished, giving passengers the choice to fly in Premium Economy.
Starting November 1, 2024, flights onboard Air India's A350-900 will connect New York JFK with Delhi every day. Departure time is set for 12:30 PM and arrival time is 11:40 AM (+1). Newark–Delhi will be served five times weekly by the A350 beginning January 2, 2025. Departures are at 11:15 AM and arrivals are at 11:30 AM (+1).
Flight AI101, which travels daily between Delhi and New York JFK Airport, leaves at 2:20 AM and arrives at 7:35 AM. Flight AI105, which operates five times weekly between Delhi and Newark Airport, leaves at 4:00 AM and arrives at 9:10 AM.
Reservations for the A350 seats on the Newark-Delhi and New York JFK-Delhi routes can now be made through travel agencies, Air India's website or mobile app. Many in the Indian diaspora in the United States are hoping that the new deployment will improve their quality of life and open up more direct travel choices.
