India’s first Airbus A350 takes wings with passengers from Bengaluru to Mumbai

Press Release, Jan 23, 2024, 12:09 PM IST

Air India, India’s leading global airline, on Monday launched its maiden scheduled commercial flight with India’s first Airbus A350-900 – also the first aircraft in the new bold Air India livery – heralding a new era for Indian aviation.

Initially, while the aircraft is deployed on domestic routes for crew familiarization and regulatory compliance purposes, passengers from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai will have the opportunity to experience the unparalleled comfort and state-of-the-art technology of the A350 – part of the 470 new aircraft order that Air India placed less than a year ago. The aircraft will be later deployed for long-haul flights to destinations across continents, strengthening Air India’s growing fleet of wide-body fleet, comprising its own and recently leased aircraft.

Flight AI 589 departed on time from Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, bound for Mumbai, carrying a near-capacity load of passengers who were eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience the revamped Air India.

The aircraft was on static display at the recent Wings India Global Aviation Summit in Hyderabad, where the public got a first glimpse of the IFE and distinct inflight amenities that will form part of the experience once the aircraft begins its international operations.

Air India’s A350-900 aircraft will have a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats: 28 private Business suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and other amenities, and 264 spacious Economy seats. All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens to provide superior flying experience which will be offering an all-new content for our guests on board. Fitted with the Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, these aircraft are 20 per cent more fuel efficient than other similar aircraft, reducing fuel emissions and ensuring sustainable operations.

On 23rd December 2023, the first of Air India’s own 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, registered VT-JRA, was welcomed at IGI Airport, Delhi, flying in from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. The landing of the A350 had marked the first of Air India’s record-setting 470 aircraft order – with scheduled arrival of one new aircraft every six days throughout 2024.

AI 589 will operate every day of the week barring Tuesdays – departing Bengaluru at 0705 hrs and landing in Mumbai at 0850 hrs.