• Introducing Premium Economy, private Business Class suites, latest-generation inflight entertainment systems, and enhanced long-haul travel experience

Bangalore: Air India today began deploying its newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft between Mumbai and London Heathrow, bringing its latest-generation onboard product to one of its flagship international routes.

Effective today, Air India flights AI131/AI130 between Mumbai and London Heathrow will be operated by the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring all-new cabin interiors designed exclusively for Air India and installed directly on Boeing’s production line. These line-fit aircraft are the first Boeing 787s purpose-built for Air India, embodying the airline’s new standards of comfort, technology, and customer experience.

The deployment also introduces Premium Economy Class on the route, offering customers a broader range of travel choices across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.

Air India’s second daily service between Mumbai and London Heathrow will continue to be served by its upgraded Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring First Class, ensuring customers on both services enjoy an enhanced onboard experience.

Elevated onboard experience

Air India’s brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft feature a three-class cabin configuration with 30 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 Economy seats, blending contemporary design, advanced technology, and Indian-inspired aesthetics.

Guests travelling on Air India’s Mumbai-London Heathrow route will now enjoy a wide range of enhancements, including:

  • Luxurious Business Class suites, direct aisle access, 79 inches fully flat beds, wireless charging, generous personal storage and immersive inflight entertainment on a large 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen – all designed to provide a comfortable and restful long-haul experience.
  • A dedicated Premium Economy cabin with wider seats in a 2-3-2 layout, 38-inch pitch providing ample legroom, generous recline, adjustable headrests, adjustable leg and calf rests, 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, offering enhanced comfort and personal space.
  • Economy Class experience, with ergonomically designed seats designed for long-haul travel, 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and improved comfort and thoughtfully integrated personal electronic device holders.
  • Next-generation inflight entertainment, powered by the Thales AVANT Up system with high-definition touchscreens, Bluetooth audio connectivity, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, AC power outlets and an intuitive user interface across all cabins.
  • Bluetooth headphone pairing, enabling guests to enjoy an entertainment content library of over 3,000 hours on board using their own Bluetooth-enabled headphones.
  • New mood lighting in the cabins inspired by ancient Indian wellness traditions.
  • A refreshed onboard product, including thoughtfully curated menus showcasing Indian and international flavours, premium chinaware, glassware and tableware, plush bedding, redesigned amenity kits and other signature touches that together deliver a more refined and consistent onboard experience.

Connecting India with the UK and beyond

The United Kingdom is one of Air India’s most important international markets, with strong demand from business and leisure travellers as well as the Indian diaspora. Air India currently operates 57 weekly non-stop flights between India and the UK, connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Amritsar with London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Birmingham.

Air India’s UK services provide customers with greater choice, convenient schedules and seamless onward connectivity via Air India’s hubs in India to and from destinations across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.