I recently had the opportunity to fly on Air India’s premium economy class from London to Delhi, and I wanted to share my experience. With the airline’s new planes, the overall journey left me cautiously optimistic. Here’s a breakdown of my experience, from check-in to cabin features:
The App Experience:
One of the first things I noticed was how much improved the Air India app is. It provided clear and timely updates on the flight status, aircraft, online check-in, as well as gate and baggage updates through push notifications, WhatsApp, and email. I particularly appreciated that the app offered details about the specific plane I would be flying on, which added a nice touch of transparency.
Self Check-in at Heathrow:
Self-check-in at Heathrow was a bit of a mixed experience. While the process was generally smooth, there was a minor hiccup where the kiosk only printed one of my luggage tags. However, the issue was quickly resolved when I dropped off my luggage at the counter, so no major inconvenience there.
The Cabin and Seating:
Once on board, the first thing that stood out was the significant upgrade in the cabin compared to the older configurations. My partner’s reaction summed it up best: “Oh look, the screens work!” The cabin felt fresh and modern, and the seats were incredibly comfortable. There was plenty of recline, and most importantly, legroom. The large leg rests were a highlight, providing great comfort during the long flight.
The seat itself was very supportive, and the addition of a nifty tray table design really impressed me. It unfolded smoothly with the press of a button and had a unique folding section that allowed me to prop up my phone or tablet, which was a great convenience for watching content or reading.
In-Flight Entertainment (IFE):
While the IFE system was modern, there were some technical glitches during the flight. About three hours in, the system went down and required a reboot. That gave me the chance to observe that the system was powered by Panasonic and essentially ran on an Android app interface. Despite the temporary setback, the IFE system was a solid offering once it was back online.
Meal Service:
The meal service was another pleasant surprise. I had what I think was one of the nicest bread rolls I’ve ever had on a flight—it was warm, soft, and freshly heated, which made a big difference. The food was served efficiently, and the overall quality was much better than I had expected.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, flying in Air India’s premium economy on this particular route was a positive experience. The seat comfort, cabin upgrades, and improved app were standout features, along with the thoughtful tray table design. While there were a few technical hiccups with the IFE system, it didn’t overshadow the overall pleasantness of the flight. With the new planes and a few tweaks to enhance the service further, I would definitely consider flying with Air India again in the future—especially in premium economy.