Air India has officially announced the deployment of its Airbus A350 aircraft on the New Delhi to Dubai route, marking the aircraft's first international service. The A350 will replace the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on flights AI995 and AI996. Flight AI995 will depart New Delhi at 8:45 PM and arrive in Dubai at 10:45 PM local time. The return flight, AI996, departs Dubai at 12:15 AM and arrives in New Delhi at 4:55 AM. This daily service will commence from New Delhi on May 1, with the inaugural flight from Dubai on May 2.
The Airbus A350-900, seating 316 passengers across three classes—28 in business, 24 in premium economy, and 264 in economy—has been introduced to the fleet following the unfulfilled delivery to Aeroflot due to sanctions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The aircraft, already operational for crew training domestically since January, is identical in configuration to the originally intended Aeroflot planes, but has been stripped of any Aeroflot branding.
At the Wings India event in January, Air India introduced the amenities that will accompany the A350-900's international rollout. The business and first-class cabins will feature amenity kits from Italian luxury fashion house Ferragamo, including body lotion, hand cream, lip balm, socks, and an eye mask, along with a specially designed Air India collectable. Premium economy will offer TUMI amenity kits containing Verso skincare products. Economy class kits, provided only on ultra-long-haul flights, will include an eye mask, socks, and hand lotion, and are made from high-quality recyclable Kraft paper.
Additional enhancements include TUMI loungewear made from recycled materials for first and business class passengers, and plush velour slippers. The premium bedding in these classes features a jacquard border inspired by Sozni embroidery from Jammu & Kashmir and incorporates memory foam for enhanced comfort. Economy and premium economy passengers will receive a twill weave cabin blanket designed with new brand elements.
The onboard dining experience has also been elevated. First-class passengers will enjoy meals on copper-gold thalis, while premium economy will use lightweight melamine tableware with etched Mandala patterns. A tiffin box-shaped salt and pepper set in gold finish will highlight the table setting.
This deployment pits Air India directly against Emirates, the primary competitor on the New Delhi to Dubai route. This strategy, along with the service enhancements, is part of Air India's broader effort to elevate its brand and service quality on international flights. The focus now shifts to when Air India will reveal its expanded long-haul network to showcase the full extent of its new service offerings.
www.hindustantimes.com
The Airbus A350-900, seating 316 passengers across three classes—28 in business, 24 in premium economy, and 264 in economy—has been introduced to the fleet following the unfulfilled delivery to Aeroflot due to sanctions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The aircraft, already operational for crew training domestically since January, is identical in configuration to the originally intended Aeroflot planes, but has been stripped of any Aeroflot branding.
At the Wings India event in January, Air India introduced the amenities that will accompany the A350-900's international rollout. The business and first-class cabins will feature amenity kits from Italian luxury fashion house Ferragamo, including body lotion, hand cream, lip balm, socks, and an eye mask, along with a specially designed Air India collectable. Premium economy will offer TUMI amenity kits containing Verso skincare products. Economy class kits, provided only on ultra-long-haul flights, will include an eye mask, socks, and hand lotion, and are made from high-quality recyclable Kraft paper.
Additional enhancements include TUMI loungewear made from recycled materials for first and business class passengers, and plush velour slippers. The premium bedding in these classes features a jacquard border inspired by Sozni embroidery from Jammu & Kashmir and incorporates memory foam for enhanced comfort. Economy and premium economy passengers will receive a twill weave cabin blanket designed with new brand elements.
The onboard dining experience has also been elevated. First-class passengers will enjoy meals on copper-gold thalis, while premium economy will use lightweight melamine tableware with etched Mandala patterns. A tiffin box-shaped salt and pepper set in gold finish will highlight the table setting.
This deployment pits Air India directly against Emirates, the primary competitor on the New Delhi to Dubai route. This strategy, along with the service enhancements, is part of Air India's broader effort to elevate its brand and service quality on international flights. The focus now shifts to when Air India will reveal its expanded long-haul network to showcase the full extent of its new service offerings.
Air India set to fly Dubai with Airbus A350 planes
A350-900 seats 316 passengers, featuring new amenity kits and luxurious bedding.