My experience with Air India's new A350 - The Frequent Business Traveler

Last month I had the opportunity to take 2 flights with the new A350 from Air India. One flight in Business Class from Dubai to Mumbai and another flight in Premium Economy from Mumbai to Delhi. Please read about my experience with Air India’s new A350!

Air India’s new Aeroflot A350’s

Air India recently received 6 brand-new A350’s which were originally destined for Russia’s carrier Aeroflot. Because of the sanctions against Russia, Airbus couldn’t deliver these ‘Aeroflot’ planes and thus Airbus offered 12 A350’s to other customers. Turkish Arlines and Air India both jumped at this opportunity and each got 6 planes. After rebranding the planes, they now operate for Air India and Turkish Airlines.

The seat layout and business class configuration didn’t change from the original Aeroflot layout. It will also be different than the other A350’s Air India ordered.

There are 7 rows of Business Class in a 1-2-1 configuration. Every business class seat has a door which can be closed for privacy reasons. There are 3 rows of Premium Economy in a 2-4-2 configuration. The Premium Economy seats are exactly the same as the Premium Economy seats you’ll find in KLM and Delta planes.

Business Class Experience

My first flight with Air India’s new A350 was from Dubai to Mumbai in Business Class. I actually thought I would never fly with Air India. I heard so much horror stories in the past from colleagues from India about Air India, that I deemed it impossible that Air India would be able to ever turn things around. However, Tata recently took over Air India and promised big changes. Buying new planes was one of the action items, as well as a new logo, and new uniforms. But changing the culture within the company would take a lot more than just new planes and a new logo. So I was anxious to find out what the Air India experience would be like flying with one of their newest planes.

First impression when entering the plane was already good. I received a friendly welcome and I was immediately impressed by the new business class cabin. The suites looked really good and the seats looked very comfortable. It was also very obvious that the crew was very proud to work in this new plane and a happy, friendly crew is already half the battle won!

Lie-Flat functionality

Seats can easily be transformed into a lie-flat bed and with my 6″4, I’ve enough space around me. On this flight from Dubai to Mumbai, there isn’t much more provided than just a very thin, small blanket which suits better in economy class. There is no extra pillow provided nor an extra mattress topper. That might be OK for this relatively short flight but when Air India will schedule this plane for longer routes, they really should add, at least, an extra fluffy pillow and a thicker blanket.

Also no amenity kit is handed out which is a real pity because I was looking forward to a cool, new Air India amenity kit. On this specific flight, I didn’t take the meal because the flight was in the middle of the night. I did take the meal on the premium economy flight though, and that one didn’t disappoint.

Premium Economy

My flight in Premium Economy with Air India’s A350 was from Mumbai to Delhi. Seats are the same as the Premium Economy seats KLM & Delta are using, and these are pretty good. As said, I did try the meal service on this flight. A menu is provided with. choice of 3 entrees. I try the chicken and that was very tasteful. Also on this flight the service was excellent and the crew was very friendly.

Conclusion

My 2 flights with Air India’s new A350 were above my expectations. A very friendly crew with good service. Of course these specific planes were still brand new and clean. I did miss the amenity kit and things like a nice, fluffy pillow and thick blanket on my business class flight, but I need to assume that will be provided when Air India will schedule these planes on longer flights… All in all, this was a very positive experience, and I hope Air India can now start to compete with the Middle Eastern carriers.

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