Airline Profile: Air India

The Facts:

An Air India Boeing 777-300ER

Analysis:

What to Avoid:

Boeing 777-200LR Business Class: Business Class on all Boeing 777-200LRs on Air India features angle flat seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. Angle flat seats on long haul flights are extremely sub-par, as most airlines offer seats with all aisle access in business class, let alone having flat bed seats. The bad news is that this plane is used on Air India’s longest flight: from Delhi to San Francisco. For business class on a 16 hour flight, angle flat seats are overly unacceptable. The good news is that there are only 3 Boeing 777-200LRs in Air India’s fleet, so you will avoid angle flat seats on most long haul flights.

What to Fly:

Boeing 787 Business Class: When I recommend an aircraft, I usually recommend it because in one way, it is phenomenal. This is not the case this time. I am recommending it because business class on 787s is much better than it is on most 777s. On all 787s, business class passengers feature flat bed seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. This is much better compared to on 777s, where business class is in a 2-3-2 configuration, and only select aircraft have flat bed seats. Also, on a side note, business class on 787s also look a lot more modern than business class on most 777s.

Travel Classes:

Economy Class: On Air India, economy class features personal on demand entertainment on all long haul aircraft and on select Airbus A320 series aircraft. On most if not all flights, passengers receive complimentary warm meals including a vegetarian and non vegetarian option. There is no premium economy or extra legroom area of economy on Air India. At select airports, economy class passengers can purchase lounge access for around 10 USD. I would personally say that if you are traveling from India to the US or Middle East (or vice versa), in economy (or any other class of service really), you should probably take an airline such as Emirates or Qatar as they get much better reviews in terms of cleanliness, food, seating, and service. 

Executive Class: Executive class (business class) is featured on all long haul aircraft and short haul aircraft excluding some Airbus A319s and Airbus A320s. On short haul aircraft, executive class features recliner seats without leg rests. On all 787s and 777-300ERs, executive class features flat bed seats in a 2-2-2 configuration (787) or in a 2-3-2 configuration (777). The 777-200LR, business class features angle flat seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. On the 747-400, business class is in a 2-2 configuration (upper deck only) and features angle flat seats, although I do not hold that against them as the 747s are only used on shorter routes. Executive class passengers have access to Air India Maharaja Lounges, featured at many airports in India and worldwide. Lounges feature showers (select lounges), meals, drinks, and multiple types of seating. I would personally say that Air India has a pretty sub par business class compared to its competitors such as Jet Airways or Qatar Airways. 

First Class: First class is featured on most Boeing 777s and on all Boeing 747s. On 777s,  (4 seats on the 300ER version, and 8 seats on the 200LR version), first class features flat bed open suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. On the 747-400, first class features flat bed seats in a 2-2 configuration, although those aircraft are mostly flown on short haul routes. Because a lot of airlines have closed suites in first class, it is pretty sub par for Air India to only have open suites in first class. First Class passengers also have access to meals better than in business or economy, lounges, pillows, and premium blankets. First Class on most flights really only costs about 20% more than business class, so if you would really like a premium experience, you might as well book first class, as business class is definitely not world class (neither is first class, but it will probably be as good as some of the best business classes).

Have you ever flown on Air India? Share about your experiences below!