I recently flew Air India's Airbus A350-900 business class on a 9 hour and 10 minute flight from London (LHR) to Delhi (DEL). This was the first part of my review trip, and the experience was truly exceptional. From the comfort of the seats to the quality of the amenities, service, food, and drinks, everything impressed me.
Air India has undergone significant changes in recent years, having been privatized and working hard to reinvent itself. Although progress has been slow due to delays with new aircraft and seats, the carrier’s A350 business class shows promising improvements.
"I loved how the airline is embracing its home country with just about every aspect of the service offered — it’s uniquely Indian."
Air India's A350 fleet currently consists of six jets. These aircraft were originally intended for Aeroflot but were taken over by Air India due to sanctions. The product on these planes is similar to select Turkish Airlines A350 business class offerings.
If Air India establishes this high level of service as its standard long-haul business class experience rather than an exception, it will become a strong competitor internationally. I would happily fly Air India again and seek it out on many routes.
Author's summary: Air India's A350 business class offers a unique, high-quality experience deeply rooted in Indian culture, marking a promising step in the airline's transformation.