Air India Launches Premium Vistara Aircraft Services on Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad Routes: You Need To Know

Air India has unveiled a revamped domestic route network following its recent integration with Vistara, set to take effect from December 1, 2024. The airline will deploy its premium narrow-body Airbus A320-series aircraft, inherited from Vistara, on five key metro-to-metro routes to enhance passenger experience with Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class options.

Premium Routes with Upgraded Cabins

The optimized services will cater to the following major metro routes:

1. Delhi–Mumbai
2. Delhi–Bengaluru
3. Delhi–Hyderabad
4. Mumbai–Bengaluru
5. Mumbai–Hyderabad

All flights on these routes will be designated with four-digit “AI” flight numbers beginning with “2,” such as AI2999 for the Delhi–Mumbai route.

Improved Schedules and Enhanced Connectivity

Air India will restructure flight schedules to offer convenient, staggered departure times throughout the day while maintaining its high frequencies. The airline now operates over 1,000 weekly flights across these critical routes, including:

• Delhi–Mumbai: 56 daily flights
• Delhi–Bengaluru: 36 daily flights
• Delhi–Hyderabad: 24 daily flights
• Mumbai–Bengaluru: 22 daily flights
• Mumbai–Hyderabad: 18 daily flights

Elevating Domestic Travel Standards

This strategic move integrates Vistara’s renowned cabin features into Air India’s operations, ensuring an enhanced in-flight experience for travelers. The addition of Premium Economy, alongside Business and Economy Class, aims to cater to India’s growing demand for comfort and flexibility in air travel.

By optimizing schedules and upgrading services, Air India reinforces its commitment to becoming the preferred choice for domestic air travel in India, especially on metro-to-metro corridors. This initiative marks another step in the airline’s ambitious transformation journey.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The merger of Vistara into Air India has unlocked many new opportunities to improve our customer offering. By combining the strengths of both full-service carriers, we are able to consolidate our best narrowbody offering on routes where there is desire for a high-frequency, full-service product. We will progressively expand the coverage to more routes as Air India inducts new aircraft and completes the retrofit of our legacy narrowbody fleet during 2025.”

Air India Enhances Passenger Comfort with Premium Cabin Offerings on Key Metro Routes

Air India’s aircraft serving its five primary metro-to-metro routes are designed to deliver unmatched comfort and luxury. The Business Class cabin features eight spacious seats with a 41-inch pitch, 7-inch recline, leg rest, and footrest for ultimate relaxation. Premium Economy offers 24 seats in an exclusive, upscale cabin, each with a 33-inch pitch and 4-inch recline, providing extra legroom and enhanced comfort. Economy Class includes 132 ergonomically designed seats with a 29-inch pitch and 3-inch recline, ensuring a comfortable journey for all travelers.

A World-Class Flying Experience

Passengers on Air India’s metro-to-metro flights can enjoy a premium, full-service experience. Highlights include:

• Award-winning cabin interiors
• Complimentary hot meals
• Lounge access for premium travelers at major airports
• Convenient connections to destinations on five continents
• Exceptional service that reflects the new, elevated standards of Air India

Booking Made Easy

The optimized domestic route network is progressively available through Air India’s website, mobile app, and authorized travel agents. This ensures seamless access to the updated offerings for travelers across platforms.

Widebody Flights on Select Routes

In addition to narrow-body services, Air India will operate one widebody flight daily between Delhi and Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. These flights, operated by Boeing 777 or Airbus A350 aircraft, will carry three-digit “AI” flight numbers, offering an upgraded travel experience on these busy routes.

With these enhancements, Air India continues its transformation journey, providing passengers with elevated comfort, connectivity, and convenience on key domestic routes.