Today: Air India gets makeover with a new logo, aircraft livery and cabins 

Air India – a Star Alliance member – is the flag carrier of India. It’s the second largest carrier in India (after IndiGo) but it remains the largest international carrier out of India with an 18.6% market share. The airline was founded by J. R. D. Tata – an Indian aviator, industrialist, entrepreneur and chairman of Tata Group – as Tata Airlines in 1932; Tata himself flew its first single-engine de Havilland Puss Moth, carrying air mail from Karachi’s Drigh Road Aerodrome to Bombay’s Juhu aerodrome. In 1953, Air India was taken over by the government, but in 2021, the Tatas paid nearly $ 3 billion USD to buy the carrier back. Air India returned to its founders with record losses and a reputation severely dented – bad customer service, frequent delays and cancellations, and nightmarish experiences by passengers. This week, the Tata Group unveiled its new plans for Air India, which demonstrate some serious ambitions for a complete turnaround and a possible bright future.

In this article:

• Air India’s new brand identity, logo and aircraft livery
• Air India’s new guest experiences
• Revealed: Air India’s new Business and First Class cabin

What do you think about Air India’s new identity, livery and cabins? Leave a comment.

NEW BRAND IDENTITY, LOGO & AIRCRAFT LIVERY

Air India unveiled a new brand identity and aircraft livery as the airline moves ahead with its transformation plan since being taken over by Tata Group more than one-and-a-half years ago. The new look re-imagines the iconic Indian window shape, historically used by Air India, into a gold window frame that becomes central to the new brand design system. It symbolises a ‘Window of Possibilities’, according to a press release.

The logo of Air India that it used since 2014 showed a red swan with the orange Konark Chakra image on it. The airline’s new logo symbol ‘The Vista’ is inspired by the peak of the gold window frame, signifying limitless possibilities, progressiveness, and the airline’s bold, confident outlook for the future, it said in a release. The airline said the new aircraft livery and design features a palette of deep red, aubergine, purple and gold highlights as well as a chakra-inspired pattern. While red and white are Air India’s colors, the purple is taken from the livery of the airline Vistara. “It also boasts a striking new custom-made ‘Air India Sans’ font, marrying confidence with warmth to position Air India as premium, inclusive, and accessible,” the release said.

The new brand identity has been designed in partnership with the brand transformation company FutureBrand. Travelers will begin to see the new logo throughout their journey starting December 2023, when the airline’s first A350 enters the fleet in the new livery, according to the airline.

Revealing the bold new look of Air India.

Our new livery and design features a palette of deep red, aubergine, gold highlights and a chakra-inspired pattern.

Travellers will begin to see the new logo and design starting December 2023.#FlyAI #NewAirIndia

*Aircraft shown are… pic.twitter.com/KHXbpp0sSJ

— Air India (@airindia) August 10, 2023

NEW GUEST EXPERIENCES

In addition to a new brand identity , Air India is also making significant investments throughout the guest experience to elevate its service and to strengthening its position as the preferred airline for travellers flying to, from, and within India:

• The carrier has confirmed historic purchase agreements to acquire 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing at around $70 billion USD (based on published list prices), with deliveries of the new aircraft starting November this year. Air India’s firm orders include 34 A350-1000, six A350-900, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 777X widebody aircraft, as well as 140 Airbus A320neo, 70 Airbus A321neo and 190 Boeing 737MAX narrowbody aircraft.
• Air India has launched its all-new inflight magazine, namaste.ai, which is now available on board all Air India domestic and international flights. A premium travel and lifestyle magazine, it reflects Air India’s vision of becoming a worldclass global airline with an Indian heart.
• Air India has launched a new website and mobile app, offering a significantly improved web experience with new digital tools and features.
• The carrier will also launch a new “open all hours, every day” customer contact center in nine Indian and foreign languages by the end of this year, as well as a completely redesigned loyalty program in early 2024 that will enable thousands of new redemption possibilities.
• The airline is investing in building completely new lounges at Delhi and New York JFK airports, having recently announced a global lounge network expansion, achieving 100 per cent lounge access coverage for premium customers at all destinations in its international route network.
• Air India has now welcomed more than 5,000 new staff, including 3,200 cabin crew and nearly 1,000 cockpit crew, who are helping to drive the cultural transformation taking place at the heart of the airline. It is also heavily investing in building one of the world’s largest aviation training academies in India that will upskill a massive number of aviation professionals.

NEW FIRST & BUSINESS CLASS CABINS

Last but not least, Air India is installing new First, Business and Economy Class cabins on its airplanes. The transformation of its fleet has already begun with the airline leasing and buying 20 widebody aircraft this year. A $ 400 million USD program to completely refurbish the interiors of its legacy fleet of 43 widebody aircraft commences mid-2024, which will lead to the installation of brand-new seats in every cabin, new inflight entertainment systems, and inflight Wi-Fi internet connectivity. By March 2024, one third of the airline’s widebody fleet will be upgraded, and over the next two-and-a-half years, its entire long-haul fleet will be reborn. Air India released a short video, which showcases the new cabins of the carrier’s reconfigured Boeing 777 aircraft (watch below):

The video reveals the following facts about Air India’s new Boeing 777 interiors:

• The First Class cabin will be a single row of suites arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each suite will be fully flat and will have a door.
• The Business Class seats will be arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration. The fully flat seats will have direct aisle access and a privacy door.
• The airline will install a Premium Economy Class product on its long haul fleet, with the seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout.

*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Air India gets makeover: new logo, aircraft livery & premium cabins appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Today (March 2, 2020): Top 10 airlines still flying the Boeing 747.

There is more information (with review & YouTube clips) below the slideshow. Have you ever flown onboard the Boeing 747? If so, what was your experience. Leave a comment.

*** Follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

1. AIR CHINA

Air China is the flag carrier and largest airline of the People’s Republic of China. Last year, the airline carried more than 100 million domestic and international passengers with an average load factor of 81% (although there is little doubt that the current Coronavirus crisis will negatively affect Air China’s business performance in 2020). The carrier operates a fleet of 434 aircraft, including 12 Boeing 747-400s and 747-800s. On these aircraft, Business Class is located in the nose of the aircraft and on the upper deck, with the cabin featuring a painted collage of the Summer Palace, which symbolizes good luck in China. The seats are arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration at the back, with 2-2 rows continuing to the front and on the upper deck.

2. AIR INDIA

Air India – a member of Star Alliance – is the flag carrier airline of India, headquartered at New Delhi. The carrier received its first Boeing 747 in April 1971. Air India has since operated 30 of these Boeing 747 aircraft. Currently, Air India still has 4 Boeing 747-400s (VT-ESO/P, VT-EVA/B) in its fleet. They are very old aircraft, with an average age of more than 22 years. Each 747 has 12 First Class seats, 26 Business Class seats and 385 Economy Class seats. First Class is in the nose of the aircraft on the lower deck in a 2-2 configuration. Business Class occupies the entire upper deck, again in a 2-2 configuration. Economy Class seats, in a 3-4-3 layout, are also on the lower deck behind the First Class cabin. Air India’s 747s regularly operate on routes between Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jeddah, and Kochi.

3. BRITISH AIRWAYS

British Airways is the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 747, as the UK’s flag carrier has 36 Boeing 747-400s in its fleet. The 747-400 is a proven performer with high reliability and incorporates major aerodynamic improvements over earlier 747 models, including the addition of a 6 ft (1.8-m) longer wing with a winglet angled upward and slightly outward. The wingtip extension and winglet offer a fuel mileage improvement of about 3 percent, which during the life span of an airplane amounts to considerable savings. British Airways will retire its Boeing 747 fleet by February 2024. The carrier plans to phase out these iconic aircraft in stages, with half of their B747s being phased out by 2021.

• Review: British Airways B747 Business Class from London to San Francisco

4. KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES

KLM Royal Dutch Airline is a proud operator of the Boeing 747. All KLM’s Boeing 747-400s are named after famous worldwide cities, such as Guayaguil, Lima, Nairobi, Hongkong, Jakarta and Johannesburg. KLM also operates a special version of the 747 – the Boeing 747-400 Combi – which has a seating capacity of 268 passengers and a huge cargo transport deck. This type of Boeing transports all kinds of cargo: from small packages to large animals, like elephants or horses. KLM has been flying with this type of aircraft since 1989, so that’s about 30 year. The carrier has 5 of them in its fleet, and flies them to cities like Mexico City, Chicago or Hong Kong (keep in mind that these destinations may differ per season).

5. KOREAN AIR

Korean Air – a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance – is South Korea’s largest airline and flag carrier, based on fleet size, international destinations and international flights. Korean Air has a fleet of 23 Boeing 747s, which includes a mix of the older Boeing 747-400 version and the newer Boeing 747-800 version, making it one of only a handful of passenger airlines operating the Boeing 747-8 on passenger flights (together with Lufthansa and Air China). With a range of 7,730 nautical miles (14,310 km), the 747-8 Intercontinental offers 16 per cent savings in fuel consumption and emissions over its predecessor, the 747-400, while generating 30 per cent less noise. In Korean Air’s service it is configured with 368 seats including a the brand new First Class cabin featuring the Kosmo Suite 2.0, which includes a sliding door and higher partitions to provide added privacy for premium passengers.

6. LUFTHANSA

Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa is the second-largest commercial operator of the Boeing 747. It has 32 Boeing 747s in its fleet and – unlike British Airways – predominantly uses the 747-8 model. In fact, it is the world’s largest operator of the model and was the first to receive the aircraft back in 2012. The new 747-8 has been stretched to make it 5.6 m (18 ft) longer than its immediate predecessor, the 747-400. That qualifies it for the title of the world’s longest passenger aircraft. It seats 362 passengers but still consumes significantly less fuel per passenger than the 747-400. This is made possible by its updated General Electric engines and its new, more efficient wing design.

7. QANTAS

Australia’s flagship carrier Qantas – widely regarded as the world’s safest airline – has just five Boeing 747-400s left in its fleet. Qantas originally began flying the Boeing 747 in 1971, with early models sporting a rather groovy lounge on the upper deck. Dubbed the Captain Cook lounge, the 15-seat lounge managed to combine a nautical theme honoring the nation’s foremost European discoverer with a then-chic color scheme of orange, checks and woodgrains. The carrier will retire its historic jumbo jets by the end of 2020 in favor of the advanced and fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Qantas plans to celebrate its Boeing 747 retirement with a run of points plane flights to mark the end of the model that has carried tens of millions of travelers around the world.

8. ROSSIYA AIRLINES

Rossiya Airlines is a Russian airline headquartered in Saint Petersburg with its hub at Pulkovo Airport and an additional hub at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow. Rossiya is majority (75%) owned by Aeroflot. Rossiya operates nine Boeing 747, and all superjumbos previously flew with now-defunct Transaero. The airline’s B747s are fitted with 522 seats, with 12 in Business Class and 510 in Economy Class. Rossiya’s B747s feature a stunning livery, resembling turbine blades. One particular 747 has been pained into an unusual livery, with the image of a tiger’s face on the aircraft’s nose. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Amur Tiger Center, a reasearch and conservation organization founded in 2013 by the initiative of President Vladimir Putin.

9. THAI AIRWAYS

Thai Airways has a subfleet of 10 Boeing 747-400 with an average age of more than 20 years. These iconic birds are predominantly used on Thai Airways’ international routes from Bangkok to Tokyo, Sydney, Frankfurt, Mumbai and Zürich, although the carrier also rosters the jumbo on the short domestic Bangkok to Phuket route. About half of these planes were refurbished since delivery, while the other half still features the old design (which feels very vintage these days). Thai Airways has decided to delay the retirement of its  B747-400s until 2022 to mitigate the capacity shortages caused by Dreamliner’s groundings and the postponement of fleet renewal decision. According to the current schedule, Thai Airways plans to phase out one in 2020, and the remaining B747 aircraft in 2022.

• Review: Thai Airways B747 First Class from Bangkok to Munich

10. VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Sir Richard Branson’ airline Virgin Atlantic still operates 7 Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which were given the sexy names of Tinker Belle (G-VBIG), Ladybird (G-VAST), Ruby Tuesday (G-VXLG), English Rose (G-VROS), Hot Lips (G-VLIP), Barbarella (G-VROM), Pretty Woman (G-VROY) and Jersey Girl (G-VGAL). Virgin Atlantic’s B747s have an average age of 19 years, with the oldest being 23 years old and the youngest 17 years old. The cabin is configured with 14 Upper Class seats in the nose of the aircraft and 66 Economy Plus seats behind Upper Class, as well as at the front of the top deck. Finally, there are 375 Economy Class seats in the remainder of the aircraft. Virgin Atlantic will retire its entire B747 fleet in 2021.

*** Follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Top 10 airlines still flying the Boeing 747 appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Today (October 30, 2015): October luxury travel news.

Every last Friday of the month, you can read our news round-up of what’s happening in the world of luxury travel. In this issue:

1. Jennifer Aniston wakes up to comfort and luxury on Emirates’ A380
2. W Hotels Worldwide makes waves with the debut of the W Amsterdam
3. Qatar Airways adds Syndey and Adelaide to its rapidly growing network
4. Ultraluxurious Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is now open
5. British Airways takes delivery of its first Boeing B787-9
6. Four Seasons seasons brings its sensual style to Seoul
7. Singapore Airlines will resume the world’s longest flight between NY and Singapore
8. Alila Hotels & Resorts opens its 3rd Bali luxury hotel
9. Air India to connect Delhi and San Francisco with a non-stop flight
10. Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota opens in the Colombian capital

1. Jennifer Aniston wakes up to comfort and luxury on Emirates

Emirates unveiled its highly anticipated television commercial featuring Hollywood actress, director and producer Jennifer Aniston. This marks the first time Emirates has collaborated with an international star in a global digital and TV campaign. The Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actress showcases her impeccable comedic timing in the global airline’s light-hearted TVC. The ad opens with Aniston looking frantically for the onboard shower and lounge but being mocked and ridiculed by the cabin crew. It turns out to be a nightmare as she wakes up to reality in her own Private Suite in the Emirates First Class cabin before getting acquainted with the airline’s iconic A380 Shower Spa and Onboard Lounge. Emirates has, to date, invested US$20 million in securing TV spots worldwide for this campaign, which will have a 30-second and longer 60-second version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwYr4LAIUjk

2. W Hotels Wordwide makes waves with the debut of the W Amsterdam

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, debuted in the Netherlands with the highly anticipated opening of W Amsterdam, bringing the W brand’s distinctive New York energy, Whatever/Whenever service mentality, and upbeat programming to the Dutch capital. Just steps away from the vibrant Dam Square and the Royal Palace, the hotel features 238 stylish guestrooms across the two buildings, including 21 suites, 3 WOW suite and two Extreme Wow Suites (the W brand’s reinterpretation of the Presidential Suite). Guests arrive in style when they check in at the rooftop W Lounge, the W brand’s re-interpretation of the traditional hotel lobby, on the sixth floor of the Exchange building. Looking out to the Royal Palace and lively historic centre, the 22 meter Wet Deck is Amsterdam’s first rooftop pool and will be heated in winter.

3. Qatar Airways adds Syndey and Adelaide to its rapidly growing network

Qatar Airways has announced its highly anticipated daily direct services from Doha to Sydney starting from 1st March 2016, as well as a daily service  to Adelaide starting early May 2016. Currently, the Doha-based carrier operates daily non-stop flights to Melbourne and Perth with a total of 14 services each week. The Doha-Sydney daily flights will be operated by the Boeing 777-300 aircraft: QR908 will depart Doha at 20:10 and arrive at Sydney at 18:05 (next day), while the return flight QR909 will depart Sydney at 22:20 and arrive Doha at 05:05 (next day). The daily Doha-Adelaide schedule will be flown by the carrier’s flagship Airbyus A350 and represent Australia’s first Airbus A350 service. Flight QR914 from Doha will depart at 8.55pm, arriving into Adelaide at 4.25pm the following day; while the return leg QR915 will be wheels-up from Adelaide at 9:.30pm and reach Doha at 04.50am the next day,

4. Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is now open

The Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is set among 20 hectares of landscaped gardens filled with the scent of 100,000 roses, with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains providing a stunning backdrop. Located just 10 minutes’ drive from the heart of the city and the historic Medina, the hotel offers 54 private villas inspired by Berber and Moorish influences, all with secluded walled gardens, swimming pools and hot tubs, extensive areas for sunbathing and shaded alfresco dining. A further nine spectacular suites, seven with their own rooftop plunge pool, feature panoramic vistas of the gardens and the surrounding countryside. There are a variety of exceptional restaurants and bars, and a world-class spa offering the Group’s renowned signature treatments as well as treatments inspired by Moroccan traditions. The luxury experience is completed by the group’s unparalleled service, allied to the best traditions and hospitality of the Moroccan Kingdom.

5. British Airways takes delivery of its first B787-9

British Airways has taken delivery of its first Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner. It is the first of 22 B787-9s that the airline has on order and will join the eight B787-8s that have already been delivered. BA also has 12 B787-10s on order. The Boeing 787-9 is a mid-size, dual aisle, twin engine jet and Boeing’s most fuel efficient aircraft to date (20% more fuel efficient than the similar sized commercial jets it is designed to replace). Composite materials make up 50% of the primary structure, including the fuselage and wings. The windows are over 30% larger than those on most similarly sized aircraft and the brightness can be adjusted at the touch of a button. Serrated edges on the engine nacelles reduce the noise levels by up to 60% both in- and outside the cabin. The aircraft also features raked wingtips to further improve fuel efficiency. The Boeing 787-9 features an evolution of British Airways’ First cabin, with just 8 seats compared to the usual 14. The first BA B787-9 destination will be Delhi from October, followed by Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuala Lumpur and San Jose. To mark the arrival, BA has released a time-lapse video of the B787-9 being built in Seattle.

6. Four Seasons seasons brings its sensual style to Seoul

Constantly surprising, always captivating, Seoul is a city of contrasts, where deep tradition lives in harmony with innovative technology and leading-edge fashion, imaginative pop culture and fiery food, trendsetting style and a playful attitude.  Now, in the heart of it all and welcoming the world for the first time, is the new 317 room Four Season Hotel Seoul. The hotel invited some of today’s most creative minds into a world of possibility guided by an unwavering commitment to quality, and the result is truly extraordinary. Sensory delights abound from the finest textures and finishes to the carefully chosen music in each area of the hotel and the signature scent created exclusively for Four Seasons by Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze. The look is a modern reflection of Korean tradition, with light-filled spaces and every modern convenience at hand. More than 160 contemporary artworks feed the soul, while attentive Four Seasons staff ensure every need and want is met.

7. Singapore Airlines to resume world’s longest flight 

Singapore Airlines has selected Airbus’ newly launched Ultra-Long Range version of the A350-900 to resume non-stop flights to the US in 2018. Under an amendment to the carrier’s existing order for 63 A350-900s, seven of the aircraft will now be delivered with an Ultra-Long Range capability for flights of up to 19 hours. Optimised for non-stop flights to the US, the aircraft, designated A350-900ULR (Ultra-Long Range), will ‎include a modified fuel system to increase the fuel carrying capacity, an increase in Maximum Take-Off Weight, plus aerodynamic improvements, enabling service to the US West Coast, as well as to New York. Singapore Airlines previously operated non-stop services from its home base to New York and Los Angeles between 2004 and 2013 using the A340-500. Once operative, the Singapore-New York and Singapore-Los Angeles flights will take back their top positions in our top 10 list of the longest flights in the world.

8. Alila Hotels & Resorts opens its 3rd Bali luxury hotel

The latest addition to Alila Hotels & Resorts’ Bali collection enjoys an unrivalled beachfront setting along the sophisticated shores of Seminyak, Bali’s upscale resort destination. Renowned for great surfing, legendary sunsets, and glamorous beach clubs, Alila Seminyak is just a few minutes’ walk to Seminyak’s eclectic mix of chic boutiques, galleries, restaurants, cafes and nightspots, making it the hippest location in Bali. The 240 rooms, each an exquisite composite of thoughtfully designed spaces, are housed in four separate buildings throughout the resort. Guests can take the resort’s fully restored vintage 1980 Volkswagen Kombi to different beach venues and beach clubs in the area, where they can party with friends and make pit stops for cocktails and canapés. Alila’s sister hotels, Alila Villas Uluwatu and Alila Villas Soori, feature in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Bali.

9. Air India to connect Delhi and San Francisco with a non-stop flight

India’s national carrier Air India announced that it will connect the capital Delhi to Silicon Valley hub, San Francisco, with a non-stop B777-200LR flight from December 02, 2015. This will be the first non-stop flight to operate on the sector, fulfilling a long-pending demand of Indian IT professionals. San Francisco will become Air India’s fourth destination in the United States. Air India operates daily non-stop flights to New York, Newark and Chicago. The Boeing 777-200 LR (Long Range) flight to and from San Francisco will operate 3 days a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The Delhi-San Francisco flight will have a convenient early morning departure and arrival. The return flight will have an early morning departure from San Francisco and arrive in Delhi in the afternoon. The flight will offer a 3-cabin configuration, with 8 seats in First Class, 35 seats in Business Class and 195 seats in Economy Class. Photo source: Sean D’Silva.

10. Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota is now open

With its stone columns and handsome brick façade, the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota is housed in a beloved Columbian local landmark.  Medellin born and Paris educated architect Santiago Medina Mejia built Casa Medina in 1946, carefully assembling reclaimed floors, columns, paneling and ironwork to create an exclusive enclave of apartments in this fashionable area of Bogota. Recognised for its architectural heritage in 1984 and turned into a hotel in 1988, it soon became the chosen address for the city’s power elite to meet, and a home-away-from-home for an international who’s who from rock stars to industry leaders and heads of state. Now, after an extensive restoration, it reopened as Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota, taking back its place among the finest luxury hotels in the world. Just 62 sophisticated guest rooms and suites – each unique, with colonial-style beamed ceilings and handcrafted doors – exude a sense of composure and calm, in the midst of Colombia’s financial core.

*** Follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Travel news: this month (October 2015) in luxury travel appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.