“New and improved” is a marketing slogan that’s been around since the days of the Model T, or even Sir John A. MacDonald.
It’s a phrase that’s often overused by public relations people eager to slap lipstick on a wild pig. But sometimes, just sometimes, there’s validity to the claim.
That is most definitely the case with Air India and its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The India market is highly competitive with a number of carriers focusing on connecting flights. With the acquisition of a Dreamliner on a non-stop Toronto-Delhi route, Air India has entered a new phase, allowing it to compete more aggressively on the lucrative route.
Open Jaw was one of a handful of media outlets on hand at YYZ on 23SEP to have a look inside Air India’s new pride and joy, which features three classes of service - a spiffy, new business class, a premium economy cabin and economy.
Air India was operated as a government enterprise for nearly seven decades but was welcomed back into the Tata group in January of 2022, becoming fully privatized.
The airline spent a couple of years on the basics, but officials say they’re now in the “climb” phase, which focuses on achieving excellence in operations and customer experience.
The growth has been astonishing. Air India signed purchase agreements to acquire 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing in June of 2023 for roughly $70 billion US, then topped that with an order for 100 more Airbus planes and 30 more Boeing planes in December 2024. That’s 600 new aircraft in all.
In addition, Air India, a Star Alliance member, has upgraded 27 legacy narrow body aircraft, giving them all new interiors. It’s also progressing with upgrades on its legacy wide-body fleet, which consists of 26 Boeing 787-8 and 13 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Some 70% of the fleet offers either new or upgraded cabin interiors. Roughly one-half of the wide-body fleet is new or upgraded, and that will jump to 75% by the end of next year.
With its new business class (28 seats), new premium economy and new economy seating, the 787-9 is entirely another kettle of fish. The airline has 26 of the planes in service now. The plane began operating on the prized YYZ-DEL route on 01AUG and is being touted as a big boost for VFR and business pax.
Your Open Jaw correspondent has been lucky enough to enjoy a reasonable (never enough, of course) number of business class flights over the years. The plane I toured at YYZ yesterday didn’t leave the ground, but it looked as bright and welcoming as any layout I’ve seen.
The lie-flat seats (79.3 inches) are quite comfy, and there’s tons of storage spots. I haven’t seen it before, but one cool feature is a standup wireless phone charging station next to your seat, which means you don’t have to fumble with a tangled cord or rest your phone on a surface next to your glass of wine or cup or coffee.
There also are USB and USB-C outlets and an AC outlet for your devices. The 17-inch, 4K Bluetooth headphone-capable seat-back TV screen is bright and vibrant.
The fluffy business class pillow features wavy lines of aubergine on a white background, and the blanket features a cool, embroidered design in orange and gold.
I also loved the bronze light fixture in a corner of the seating area.
Passengers in the middle section of business (it’s a 1-2-1 layout) have privacy screens so they can ignore or engage with the person next to them. Being able to raise the screen would be very handy if you’re travelling with your spouse and you forgot it’s your anniversary.
We didn’t get to see them, but business class passengers get “luxury amenity kits with loungewear and carpet slippers.”
Premium Economy on the 787-9 is comfortable and reasonably spacious, with a 38-inch seat pitch and seven inch recline, as well as six-way adjustable headrests and a place to rest your calves. Premium Economy seats have a solid, 13.3 inch TV screen that’s also bluetooth capable.
Customers in Premium Economy can enjoy USB Type A and C charging ports, a premium amenity kit, “gourmet meals and beverages” and such perks as a dedicated check-in counter, priority boarding and extra baggage allowance.
Economy seats have a 32-inch pitch and five-inch recline, as well as a five-way adjustable headrest, an 11.6-inch 4K screen with bluetooth capability, USB and USB-C charging ports, and full-course hot meals.
Officials said there are 10 types of mood lighting on the 787-9.
EXPANDING NETWORK
Air India currently operates 17 weekly flights from Canada to India (including 10 weekly flights from Toronto to Delhi, and seven weekly flights from Vancouver to Delhi). Of those 10 weekly YYZ-DEL flights, seven are on the new 787-9, while the other three are currently operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Those will transition to the new 787-9 starting in January of next year.
The airline is adding a new seasonal route from Toronto to Mumbai beginning 25OCT, using a 777-300LR with economy, business and first class seating. The Vancouver-Delhi route uses a 777-300LR with the same configuration. Neither of those routes will include premium economy seating, at least for now.
The new service will add nearly 2,000 seats each week between India and Canada, and boost premium seat capacity from Toronto by 71% this winter.
Air India has served Canada for more than 40 years. As of 01SEP, Air India’s global network spans 30 countries across five continents, connecting India with cities in North America (U.S. and Canada), Europe (including the UK), Asia Pacific, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Air India operates over 4,100 flights a week to and from 36 destinations within India and 41 destinations outside of India.
