This week Michelin-star celebrity chef Vikas Khanna travelled on one of the business class flights from New York to Mumbai and tweeted, “Possibly, one of the most beautiful aircraft I have flown in. And impeccable service…..Yes, this is Air India.” His video providing a glimpse of the business class cabin that appears like a blue lagoon floating in the sky has gone viral. Since then, we have noticed a surge in traffic to the website of Indian Eagle Travel – for Air India flight tickets to India from USA.
The aforementioned business class cabin is, in fact, a Delta One suite on five B777-200LRs that Air India has leased from Delta Airlines for nonstop flights from USA to Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Three of the 5 B777-200LRs were inducted into the Air India fleet for an upgrade to inflight experience, before the Tata Group’s $70bn aircraft deal with Boeing and Airbus took off in February 2023.
Delta Airlines got its ten B777-200LRs lavishly refurbished for $100 million in 2019, but the pandemic grounded the fleet. Besides, the Russian airspace restrictions to American carriers including Delta – which proved to be a blessing in disguise for Air India – curtailed Delta operations on some long-haul routes. The Tata airline retained the Delta cabin products except the logo on the leased aircraft. An ex-Delta B777-200LR has 28 Delta One suites (business class), 48 Premium Select seats (premium economy), and 220 Economy seats.
Photo Credit: Delta Airlines
Those among our customers, who recently travelled on SFO to BLR, BOM to SFO, and NYC to Mumbai flights by Air India, loved the blue-hued seats and quality amenities aboard the leased aircraft. They found the blue upholstery not only soothing but better than the yellow-red ones on the other aircraft in the fleet of Air India. The ex-Delta B777-200LRs have Panasonic Avionics Inflight Entertainment screens installed in all cabins. The Economy travel cabin is roomy and has seats laid out in a 3-3-3 configuration. The leased aircraft has 18.5-inch-wide Economy seats.
USA to India routes with Air India’s B777-200LRs and brand new Premium Economy
The ex-Delta Premium Select is, currently, Air India’s Premium Economy with 48 roomier seats, each with 19-inch width. The booking of Air India’s Premium Economy tickets had opened first for nonstop flights between SFO and Mumbai, NY JFK and Mumbai, and SFO to Bengaluru nonstop travel starting from mid-May 2023. Now Air India will put a B777-200LR with Premium Economy seats into service for nonstop Delhi to San Francisco flights starting from October 17, 2023.
IndianEagle.com has the best Premium Economy flight deals including Air India’s for your much-awaited travel on the above routes during the Christmas holiday season. Indian Eagle is a most trusted travel-booking partner with dedicated multichannel customer support for Indian Diaspora in the USA. If you have any concern or need assistance with booking your tickets, you can call the helpline 1-800-615-3969.
Flight #2 of 2023
Sector: Mumbai – New York JFK
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
Airline: @airindiain
Class : Premium Economy
Super comfy seat, Modern IFE, food at par with domestic business, finest of liquors, noise cancelling headphones, Tumi amenity kit.
Rating: 10/10 pic.twitter.com/ow580biGH3— Siddhartha ✈️ (@Sidd_MCFC) March 10, 2023
Air India’s inflight services in Premium Economy
Air India’s B777-200LR Premium Economy is earning rave reviews for generous legroom, comfy seating in a 2-4-2 configuration, soothing interiors, modern inflight entertainment systems with bigger screens, TUMI amenity kits, delicious food, and high-quality noise cancelation headphones. Premium passengers are provided with two menu cards – one for lunch and one for dinner – featuring the tagline, Taste the New Luxury. The airline describes the menu as “a journey of culinary excellence with our enhanced inflight cuisine offering a range of specially curated dishes crafted with care and served with class.” Some passengers shared that they were given hot towels before each meal. Below is a glimpse of the menu:
PC: Twitter | Vinamralongani
Air India’s Business Class on B777-200LRs
The former Delta One suites are the Crystal Cabin Award-winning business class seats on Air India’s B777-200LRs. The business travel cabin that ticks all the boxes for value-for-money inflight experience and uncompromised privacy is driving the demand for Air India’s business class flight tickets on the JFK to BOM, SFO to BOM, and SFO to Bengaluru routes. The seats feature sliding doors, privacy partitions, and in-seat USB ports. It has restored the luxury and glamor of flying on Air India – which will touch the next level with more premium aircraft (as below) to be inducted by the airline.
2024 will be the year of Air India Premium Economy vs Emirates Premium Economy. Air India is all set to cash in on more Premium Economy seats with brand new six A350-900s which will join the fleet starting this November. An A350-900 aircraft has three-class cabin configuration comprising 28 Business, 24 Premium Economy, and 264 Economy seats. In our knowledge, the upcoming A350-900s will replace the outdated aircraft for Air India flights from New York to Delhi, Newark to Delhi, D.C IAD. to Delhi, and Chicago to Delhi. Below is a glimpse of A350-900s:
Hello, I always travel Premium Economy by Lufthansa & United Airlines,
I was very eagerly waiting when would Air India have it.
It’s very exiting Good News for me & willing to travel with My Air India.
Please please please email me in advance to book from Chicago to Mumbai. Thanks so much .
Wishing great good luck to Air India Decision. God bless
Hi Sailesh! We’re glad to see your interest in Air India’s upcoming premium economy class. In the first phase, Air India will offer premium economy service on flights to Mumbai from New York and Newark, and to Bangalore from San Francisco.
When is this expected to start? Thanks.
AM
Early in 2023
I can’t understand Air India not initiating a Flight from USA -2nd Busiest Airport- Los Angeles. Instead Two nearby NY Airports, Air India should start one flight from LA.
We usually take Emirates/Qatar Airlines which provide 21 hrs flight with one stop.
LA had one 21 hrs flight, with one stop before but now, NO Flight !!
Why not to Chennai ??
Hi Karthik! Both inbound and outbound traffic of international nonstop flights should be diverted to Chennai or Hyderabad in order to decongest Delhi and Mumbai airports.
Why not Nagpur as well.
Hi Amit! Nagpur Airport may not have the infrastructure for handling the arrival of long-haul direct international flights.
Completely agree with your comment. We have to move more things away from Mumbai and spread it around since India is a big country!
Because the city stinks and the air foul; not many want to fly from there!
I request AI to improve their inflight catering service. For 7 hours after take off at 3.30 a.m from NewDelhi they did not even offer a drink. After a much delayed breakfast around 10.30 hrs , lunch/ dinner was served around 16.30 hrs a couple of hours before landing at SFO. Hope the AI management pays some attention in this aspect.
Looking forward to an improved service during my next flight.
I wish they add more flights to other cities in the continental US – Dallas, Seattle, Detroit etc to other southern cities like Hyderabad, Pune etc. These are already software hubs and yield would be greater than sticking with Mumbai and Delhi. The hub and spoke model needs to change.
Air India should partner with domestic airlines with in USA for the convenience of major passengers who live far off locations `
None of the US carriers (including star alliance partner Member United or Air Canada) want to codeshare with AI because Air India has a competitive advantage of using the Russian airspace for flights to US. AI could explore JetBlue or Alaska since they’re mainly Narrowbodied airlines that will at most fly up to London. But both are American Airlines partners so I doubt AI will be able to successfully deal with them. Thats why both probably decided to finally partner with Emirates on flights to India. American codeshares with Indigo because they know Indigo being a budget carrier won’t really fly to the US to threaten competition. But this also also American to get an advantage into the Indian domestic connection market.
Why not any direct flights from Detroit to Delhi
Hi Sunil! The Detroit to Delhi route does not seem to be on the radar, as of today. However, it may become a reality in the next few years given the airline’s international expansion plans. Fingers crossed!
When are we going to have Bengaluru to Newark and Washington direct ?
Hi Prakash! That’s a good suggestion. Indians in NY and NJ should get direct connectivity to Bengaluru.
I think you should do a non stop to Chennai. Currently you have a quite a few passenger’s year around using the Middle East airlines like Qatar, Etihad, Emirates.. The nonstop route to Chennai will get more business for Air India than for any other airlines. A route that should be must in the works.
When are we going to have LA on the AI radar? IPrefeeably from my home town, Mumbai!!
We badly need a direct nonstop flight from Detroit to Hyderabad at least once a week as there are no direct flights to Hyderabad right now.
Hi Vish! May your wish be fulfilled! FYI, Chicago to Hyderabad direct flights are there.
AIC107/108 last flew 5 months ago. that was a weekly once flight and I dont think it will come back up again.
Why doesn’t non-stop Delhi – Charlotte/Raleigh comes into consideration? There’s a huge demand and folks keep traveling to DC/NY to catch a flight or get their parents. It will be super profitable, seen so many surveys happening but no progress.
Hi Dan! We agree with you. Hope Indians will get direct connectivity on this route in the future.
When will LAX to Mumbai flight restart?
I am a die-hard fan of AI. Inspite of issues being constantly reported, I still prefer AI.
How about flight from Florida to Ahmedabad (via Mumbai/Delhi)? Both Qatar and Emirates have flight from Miami and Orlando respectively. AI should consider tapping this business as well.
How about Air India flight from Houston to Bangalore
Hi Harish! We agree with you. There should be direct air connectivity to India from Houston or DFW.
Air India sucks…will always focus stupidly on newyork , chicago and san fransisco…lot of indian community has migrated from these cities during and post covid…start service from new origination airports in texas, ohio and georgia..
Yes, Air India sucks. Unless they change their traditional routes and go into new routes with the aid of American carriers to connect, they will not succeed. They should also change their logo, the painting of their aircraft which looks ugly, and the seating arrangements. Make all seats premium economy. That way they can increase the revenue and also give better service. Let only the ones who can afford it fly. Don’t run it like JATKA carrier!
Yes, we need more daily direct flights from big cities in US to India. Only Indian & US airlines can offer this. Use Mumbai (not Delhi) as inbound hub/transit [instead of Gulf & Euro cities that we currently use] and passengers can continue their 2nd hop from there. Airlines & Gov are you listening for opportunities? Why should we pay other countries airlines?
When will SFO to BLR direct flight starts?
Hi Deepak! Air India will resume its SFO-BLR nonstop service from OCTOBER end this year. A definite date is yet to be announced.
The selling points on any route will be
1. Quality of air crafts you are addressing
2. Enhancing quality of service and on board experience. I believe it needs great attention
3. Value and cost effectiveness you are addressing
4. Sharing agreements with US airlines to support passengers who can not readily access major airline hubs you are proposing
5. Enhancing positive experience for customers at airports in India
These are my two cents for our beloved airline to survive and thrive
Hi Subhash! Exactly. You shared good ideas.
Air India needs to start serving meals based on the time at the destination verses the origin. Had dinner and whiskey being served shortly before landing at 7am in SFO because it was dinner time in Delhi. Silly…..
Hi , I have a question.I am. Flying Delhi to bangluro on vistra and from Bangalore to sfo on air India. All this fight on a single ticket. Now my question is I can book luggage direct to sfo from Delhi airport as I have only 3 hours layover time. Thx
we had a terrible experience on AI flight last Nov from NJ to DEL. No TV Screens , air hostesses talked rudely when we asked why no TV screens etc.. probably they were too tired of explaining this as this is not their fault but faulty aircraft.
Hi Uma! The airline is gradually upgrading the outdated fleet and refurbishing the existing planes for $400 million. All unpleasant experiences will be history in the coming months.
It is interesting how everyone wants a direct flight to their hometown 🙂 Economics doesn’t support a load factor of 85% above to run the business successfully. I think Air India needs to find a European hub or eventually make New Mumbai Airport an Air India hub, replicating the success of middle east airlines to connect Europe & North America to the rest of India/Southeast Asia.
When would JFK-DEL route flights gets upgraded? Being capital city, don’t they get into consideration?
Hi Pavan! Two more B777-200LRs leased from Delta Airlines will soon join the fleet of Air India. In our knowledge, one of those two B777-200LRs will be deployed for the JFK to DEL nonstop service.
When will new Air India start from Houston to Mumbai?
Hi Mihir! Air India’s network expansion plans are not known yet. All we can say now is that Air India will surely add more routes to its US-India network.
Any consideration of starting Phoenix to New Delhi flights?
Hi Tanu! Air India’s network expansion plans are not yet known.
I just came back from Delhi to Chicago on a broken business class seat, where the CREW was sleeping on the perfect business class seats. After several complains no response for AIR INDIA. I think these photos are not real or at least I won’t believe until I see it. Etihad / Emirates has better seats and service. I only prefer Air India because of non stop flights to Delhi to Chicago.
Hi Vikas! The pictures that we curated for this article are very much real, as those are of the B777-200LR aircraft that Air India has leased from Delta Airlines. Three of the 5 such aircraft are operational on Air India’s New York to Mumbai, San Francisco to Mumbai, and San Francisco to Bengaluru routes. Hope, the remaining two B777-200LRs from Delta will be deployed for Chicago to Delhi and New York to Delhi flights soon.
RECENTLY TRAVELED BY AIR INDIA FROM MUMBAITO SAN FRANCISCO BY PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS.THE entire journey was most comfortable. It was a great surprise given by AIR India to non stop traveling to USA,For t
In the last 20 years We are going to USA and except corona time,it was our 18 th tour.But this was the BEST traveling experience to us.Shabas AIR India.
Hi Diwakar! It’s great to know about your travel experience in Air India’s brand new premium economy. Thank you for sharing with us and fellow travelers. FYI, IndianEagle.com has the best deals for Air India flights in all travel classes. You can count on Indian Eagle for your next trip.
does the Newark to Mumbai route on AirIndia Boeing 777-300ER have the updated (ex etihad or delta) flights? Can anyone confirm business class updates?
We badly need a Detroit – Bangalore Flight. Even if it is twice a week
Hi Nag! Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Atlanta have better chances than Detroit for direct air connectivity to India. Those US cities’ demand for nonstop flights to India is long overdue.