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Air India's 1st Airbus A350-900 To Take Flight Soon - Here's Everything You Need To Know
Air India recently took delivery of the 1st of its 20 new Airbus A350s. The new Air India Airbus A350-900 is set to take to the skies on domestic routes on the 22nd of January.
The first Air India A350-900 landed in India. The passenger jet has the registration VT-JRA and will be used by Air India on its international routes. However, before that happens, VT-JRA will be operating commercially on domestic routes to help the crew get familiar with the new widebody aircraft.
The rest of the Air India A350-900 are expected to arrive later in 2024 in regular intervals. Like VT-JRA, these A350-900s will be operated on international routes as the Maharaja looks to reinvent itself with the airline back under Tata ownership.
All 20 of the new A350-900s ordered by Air India will be offered with three seating classes - Business, Premium Economy and Economy - with the widebody aircraft set to carry a maximum of 316 passengers. The 28 Business Class travellers will be able to enjoy a good snooze on board thanks to the seats that transform into flat beds.
The 24 passengers in the Premium Economy section will be able to enjoy extra legroom compared to the 264 passengers in the Economy section. Passengers in all sections will be able to experience the benefits and ads of in-flight entertainment thanks to the HD displays.
The Airbus A350 was first introduced back in January 2015, nearly two years after the first test aircraft took to the skies in 2013. Qatar Airlines was the first of Airbus' clients to operate the A350.
The Airbus A350-900 that will be operated by Air India is the smaller of the A350 models offered by the European aircraft manufacturer. The A350-900 measures 66.8 metres long, 17.05 metres tall, and has a wingspan of 64.75 metres.
Sitting under the composite wings of the Airbus A350 are two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB high-bypass turbofan jet engines that produce 374.5 kN of thrust each. These engines also burn 25 per cent less fuel compared to the competition, allowing the A350-900 a range of 15,372km.
The Airbus A350-900 has a maximum payload capacity of 53.3 tonnes and the passenger jet cruises at a speed of 903 km/h at 31,000 feet (13,100 metres) above sea level. The A350-900 can hit a top speed of 950km/h.
Thoughts About Air India's A350 Fleet
Air India, now free of government control and back under Tata ownership is looking to reinvent itself after decades of neglect as the firm looks to once again become the Maharaja of the Skies. The A350s are the first step of an audacious plan and spending spree that Air India hopes will get it back to the top of the list for those flying to and from India and on the domestic flight scene as well.
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