Air India is set to enhance the travel experience for its passengers by reconfiguring its Airbus A320 fleet, introducing new business class seats with improved cushions and a premium economy cabin. This upgrade aims to provide a more comfortable journey for passengers on domestic flights and align Air India’s product offerings with those of Vistara, which is currently being merged with Air India.
One of the reconfigured Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin (business, premium economy, and economy), has already been prepared at the AI Engineering Services Limited facility in Delhi. This aircraft will enter service upon receiving the necessary regulatory approvals. The introduction of these upgraded planes is a strategic move to enhance Air India’s corporate business appeal and offer a more consistent product experience across its fleet.
The reconfigured Air India planes, along with those from Vistara, will primarily serve metro-to-metro routes and short-haul international routes with high business traffic. This focus on routes with significant business demand is expected to attract more corporate travelers and improve the airline’s overall occupancy rates.
An Air India executive highlighted that while the new seats will not be identical to Vistara’s, they will be a significant improvement over the current domestic product, featuring better cushions and increased legroom. The upgraded seats aim to provide enhanced comfort and attract more business class passengers on domestic routes.
Vistara’s Airbus A320 aircraft are configured with eight business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 126-132 economy class seats. Air India’s reconfigured planes are expected to have a similar layout, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for passengers.
Currently, Air India operates its A320 aircraft in either an all-economy or a dual-class (economy and business) configuration. The transition to a three-class configuration requires separate regulatory approvals, given the different existing configurations of Air India’s Airbus fleet.
Air India plans to reconfigure a total of 40 Airbus A320 aircraft by the middle of next year. This extensive reconfiguration is part of the airline’s broader strategy to enhance its service offerings and competitiveness in the domestic and international markets.
In addition to these fleet upgrades, Air India continues to expand its route network. Recently, the airline launched a direct daily service between Vijayawada and Mumbai, contributing to the overall growth in domestic air traffic, which saw a 4.5% increase in May.
By aligning its product offerings with Vistara and improving the comfort and convenience of its services, Air India aims to strengthen its position in the aviation market and provide a superior travel experience to its passengers.
