An Overview of Air India
The flag carrier of India with its headquarters in New Delhi, Air India was originally called Tata Airlines when it was founded nearly 90 years ago. The airlines operates with a fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft that service its extensive network across the country and outside it. It was in 1932 that JRD Tata founded the airlines as Tata Airlines, and he flew its first single-engine de Havilland Puss Moth, carrying mail from Drigh Road Aerodrome of Karachi to the Juhu Aerodrome in Mumbai, and then flying to Madras (now Chennai). The airlines was rechristened Air India when it became a public limited company after the Second World War. In 2000-01, efforts were being made to privatise Air India, but it suffered losses after a merger with Indian Airlines. The second privatisation attempt in 2017 led to the airline reverting to the Tatas in 2021. Through its subsidiaries Air India Express and Alliance Air, Air India runs operations to its various domestic as well as Asian destinations. Air India is best associated with its mascot, the Maharaja clad in red.
Air India fleet
Air India is believed to have one of the youngest fleets in the world, with regular updates being made to provide the customer with a smooth flying experience. India’s flag carrier operates with a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus 319 (single configuration), Airbus 319 (mixed configuration), Airbus A320-214 CEO, Airbus 321, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-300ER, ATR 42-320 and ATR 72-600. These include a range of wide body and narrow body aircraft including those used by Alliance Air and Air India Express.
Travel classes aboard an Air India flight :
Air India’s Boeing 777-200LR/777-300ER and Boeing 747-400 run long-haul flights that come with a three-class setup. Airbus A321 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, on the other hand, have a two-class setup. Airbus A320 operates domestic and other short-haul international flights, and they come in either all-economy or two-class configuration. Airbus A319 has an all-economy setup. The airlines serves complimentary meals on all its domestic as well as international flights whose duration is more than 90 minutes.
The three class distinctions on Air India are:
First Class: The seats are a 180-degree recline sleeperette, with two-abreast seating ensuring you are in an aisle seat or a window seat, for there is no in-between seat. On the screen in front of you, you can track your flight’s position, its altitude and speed. The First Class cabin seats only 12 passengers. You are served refreshing cocktails which is followed up by a selection of entrees, these range from grilled lamb chops, Parmesan cheese omelette to chicken malai kebab and shahi korma. This is accompanied by a wine or champagne.
Executive Class: This class is particularly ideal for business and leisure travellers. The cabins are spacious with plush seats, with every passenger being given either the aisle or the window seat. Entrees are served accompanied by wine. There is an exclusive check-in facility available for the guests, and they also have access to the Air India lounge at the airport.
Economy Class: For the budget traveller, complimentary meals/refreshments are served on-board. You can choose between Indian or Continental meal in vegetarian or non-vegetarian categories on the international flights. Only vegetarian meal or refreshments are available on domestic flights. On international routes, the Economy travellers are served complimentary liquor or wine on-board. There is an enhanced illumination and temperature control systems and you also have well-positioned movie screens to watch movies through the journey.
Benefits of flying Air India :
Here we list some of the top benefits of flying with Air India:
- Air India’s extensive range of destinations across the country and outside make it a preferred airline for travels.
- The frequency of Air India flights is great on all major routes, and for any travel outside India, you can bank on Air India to get a direct flight.
- Air India operates with three distinct classes; First Class, Executive Class and Economy Class. The facilities on all classes vary, are exclusive and ensure a comfortable flying experience.
- Air India serves meals on all classes including Economy. And on all international routes of Economy cabin you are also served liquor or wine. The meals are provided according to the time of the day and range from breakfast for morning flights to hi tea for mid-morning flights, followed by lunch for noon flights, dinner for late evening and night flights, and supper for the red-eye flights that take off post 11:00 pm. Only vegetarian meals are served in the Economy cabin of domestic flights, and no liquor is served here.
- Enjoy in-flight entertainment on all Air India flights which includes an array of television shows, movies (both English and Hindi), music, news and more. You can browse through a large number of channels airing a variety of programmes. The in-flight entertainment is not available on the Airbus fleet of the aircraft.
Air India Airlines flight status :
You can check your Air India flight status by entering the flight number, or you can even select the route-wise search and search the latest information on the arrival and departure status of your Air India flight. For the same in the search console you need to enter the date of travel, followed by the flight number and enter the captcha code and do a search. You can choose your language of search, whether English or Hindi.
Air India online booking :
You can make your Air India online booking directly from the Farehawker website. Head to the Flights search console and choose whether it is a one-way, round-trip or multi-city trip. Then enter your departure city and arrival city, followed by the date of journey, return date in case relevant, number of travellers and select your preferred class of travel, and then search flights. In the subsequent page you will be able to see all flights for your dates. Head to the filter panel on top and select Air India from the Airlines drop-down and apply filters. The following page will give you only Air India flights schedule. Check the tariff, schedule and choose which one you would like to book. You can choose from economy and best value fare, with the best value fare allowing for free cancellation. Click the fare you prefer and book it. Then you will be asked to enter the passenger details, post which you land on the payment gateway and make the payment to confirm the booking. On successful payment, your e-ticket is sent by Farehawker to your registered Email ID.