Air India SATS Launches India's First Executive Class Tarmac Coach

~ Revolutionizes the premium travel experience for First Class/Business Class travellers ~

New Delhi, September, 2024: Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS), India’s leading airport services management company today unveiled the India’s first luxury tarmac coach exclusively for First Class and Business Class travellers at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. This transformative offering is part of AISATS' major evolution to become a vibrant, customer-focused, and future-ready organization driven by innovation and sustainability. The company has introduced 3 such coaches at Delhi airport for Air India flights and will extend this service to other airlines in the near future.

AISATS luxury coaches boast premium amenities like plush seating, ample legroom, air conditioning etc. for ultra-comfort and seamless transport between the terminal gate and the aircraft door for its elite passengers. Furthermore, all these are electric vehicles, aligning with AISATS' sustainability initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint.

“These luxury coaches exemplify our commitment to reimagining the premium travel experience through innovative solutions. Flying first class/business class is a privilege that is embedded in a passenger’s first class/business class seat(s) and lounge access. At AISATS, we believe this privilege should also extend to their experience when they travel from the terminal to the aircraft and vice versa," stated Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Executive Officer at AISATS. "By leveraging our aviation expertise, we are transforming the luxury air travel experience, enhancing operational efficiencies and transitioning to eco-friendly operations. This is in line with our aggressive growth strategy to help fuel India’s ascendant aviation sector and cement our leadership in delivering delightful and sustainable aviation services."

The introduction of these luxury coaches solidifies AISATS' position as a dynamic industry force setting new benchmarks through innovation, sustainability and customer-centricity. This service reflects AISATS’ passion to delight passengers at every stage of their airport journey. As superlative experiences go, these luxury coaches are unmatched in their ability to blend enjoyable comfort with sophisticated style.

With innovative offerings like the executive coaches and ambitious infrastructure projects, AISATS is accelerating its transformation into a future-ready organization that prioritizes customer delight, technological advancement and environmental stewardship. As the company forges ahead on this transformative journey, it remains committed to redefining industry standards and delivering exceptional experiences that make travel more luxurious, efficient and sustainable.

Air India Introduces ‘New Air India Experience’ On Delhi-London Heathrow Route With Twice-Daily Flights On Flagship Airbus A350 Aircraft

A350 will offer a new cabin product with full-flat beds in Business, a new Premium Economy experience along with comfortable, spacious seats in Economy

Guests on this flight will experience Air India’s new soft product – Vista Verve

Air India will also be introducing on board Wi-Fi soon, starting with the A350 on the Delhi-London Heathrow route

Gurugram / London, September 2024: Air India, India’s leading global airline, has introduced its brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the Delhi-London Heathrow route. This twice-daily service is the first deployment of the ‘new Air India’ experience on long-haul flights and represents a significant milestone in the airline’s transformation program.

The Air India A350 cabin product includes a fresh three-class configuration offering full-flat beds in Business, a new Premium Economy experience and the latest generation seats in Economy.  All guests enjoy the latest-generation inflight entertainment system offering more than 3000 hours of entertainment content, which will shortly be complemented by on board Wi-Fi*.

Guests in Business and Premium Economy will also enjoy updated amenity kits exclusively designed by Ferragamo and TUMI, as well as Air India’s new soft product – Vista Verve – with new chinaware, tableware, glassware and bedding. Completing the experience, flight and cabin crew will don, for the first time, their new Manish Malhotra-designed uniforms.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The deployment of the flagship A350s on the Delhi-London Heathrow route marks a significant milestone for Air India. It demonstrates Air India’s commitment to elevating the travel experience of our guests to truly world-class standards and to going beyond just meeting customer expectations as we continue to grow and renew our fleet.”

Air India’s A350 aircraft feature 28 private suites with full-flat beds in Business, 24 seats in a dedicated Premium Economy cabin offering extra legroom and other enhancements, and 264 spacious seats in Economy.

All seats on the A350 come with the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens that offer more than 3000 hours of entertainment content from around the world in 13 international and 8 Indian regional languages with a specific category for 100+ hours of content for kids.

With a menu that caters to both Indian and International palate, guests will be served delectable cuisine in an exquisite collection of chinaware with India-inspired designs for a luxurious and culturally rich dining experience.

Air India started inducting the A350s earlier this year, which have since operated flights within India and on short-haul international routes. The A350-900 will replace the currently deployed Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on 14 of 17 weekly flights. As a result, an additional 336 seats will be available on the Delhi-London Heathrow route each week.

IHCL has unveiled The Maharaja Suite at the capital’s landmark, Taj Mahal, New Delhi

The suite design is a tribute to the world-renowned symbol of Air India, welcoming the national carrier back in the folds of Tata group.

L to R- PIC 1 - Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, MD& CEO, IHCL, Ms. Ambika Negi of Taj Mahal, New Delhi, Ms. Jovita William of Air India and Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons.

L to R – PIC 2 - - Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, MD& CEO, IHCL Mr. Vinod Kannan, CEO, Vistara, Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Mr. Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India

MUMBAI, MAY 2023: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company unveiled The Maharaja Suite at the capital’s landmark, Taj Mahal, New Delhi. The suite design is a tribute to the world-renowned symbol of Air India, welcoming the national carrier back in the folds of Tata group.

 Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “Taj, with its rich legacy for over a century, has always been renowned for pioneering innovative concepts. We are proud to bring this distinctive experience of The Maharaja Suite starting with New Delhi. As Air India takes flight to gateway cities around the world, Taj will partner their journey to offer the world -class Indian hospitality that it is known for.”   

A journey through time, The Maharaja Suite, offers a uniquely themed master bedroom, dining room, an enclosed balcony lounge, and a study paying homage to the pioneer of Indian aviation. The characteristic style, wit and warmth of the Maharaja comes alive in its specially-commissioned furniture and artworks. Maharaja’s distinctive moustache takes centre stage in the upholstery and aviation aesthetics in the airplane styled windows, lounge chair, luggage elements and the deep red in the doors and ceiling. 

Mr. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, said, “The iconic Maharaja is a proud part of Air India’s long legacy, and we are delighted that Taj is celebrating it through The Maharaja Suite at Taj Mahal, New Delhi.  It will stand as a strong reminder of Air India’s history even as we transform the airline to become, once again, amongst the best in the world.”

Designed by Bobby Mukherji and Associates, introduction of The Maharaja Suite also marks the completion of the renovation of the marquee Taj Mahal, New Delhi.

Tata Group to consolidate Air India & Vistara

Mumbai, India,November 2022: The Tata Group today announced the consolidation of its airlines, Vistara and Air India. With this consolidation, Air India shall be India’s leading domestic and international carrier with a combined fleet of 218 aircraft, making it India’s largest international carrier and second-largest domestic carrier.

Air India, an airline fully owned by Tata Sons, has been the flag carrier of India. Tata Sons, via its fully owned subsidiary, Talace Private Limited (“Talace)”, had acquired 100% stake in Air India on 27th January 2022.

Vistara, a 51:49 Joint Venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines Limited (“SIA”) was established in 2013 and is India’s leading full-service carrier with international operations in Middle East, Asia and Europe.

Vistara shall be merged with Air India post receipt of requisite approvals. As part of the merger transaction, SIA shall also invest Rs 2,059 crore in Air India.  Post the consolidation, SIA shall hold 25.1% shareholding in Air India.

 

The transaction is estimated to be completed by March 2024.

On this occasion, Mr. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons said: "The merger of Vistara and Air India is an important milestone in our journey to make Air India a truly world-class airline. We are transforming Air India, with the aim of providing great customer experience, every time, for every customer. As part of the transformation, Air India is focusing on growing both its network and fleet, revamping its customer proposition, enhancing safety, reliability, and on-time performance. We are excited with the opportunity of creating a strong Air India which would offer both full-service and low-cost service across domestic and international routes.  We would like to thank Singapore Airlines for their continued partnership.”

Mr. Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “Tata Sons is one of the most established and respected names in India. Our collaboration to set up Vistara in 2013 resulted in a market-leading full-service carrier, which has won many global accolades in a short time. With this merger, we have an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Tata and participate directly in an exciting new growth phase in India’s aviation market. We will work together to support Air India’s transformation program, unlock its significant potential, and restore it to its position as a leading airline on the global stage.”

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About the Tata group

Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, the Tata Group is a global enterprise, headquartered in India, comprising 30 companies across ten verticals. The group operates in more than 100 countries across six continents, with a mission 'To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on Leadership with Trust’.

Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company and promoter of Tata companies. Sixty-six percent of the equity share capital of Tata Sons is held by philanthropic trusts, which support education, health, livelihood generation and art and culture.

 

In 2021-22, the revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was US $128 billion (INR 9.6 trillion). These companies collectively employ over 935,000 people.

 

Each Tata company or enterprise operates independently under the guidance and supervision of its own board of directors. There are 29 publicly-listed Tata enterprises with a combined market capitalisation of $311 billion (INR 23.6 trillion) as on March 31, 2022. Tata Group Companies include Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals, Tata Consumer Products, Titan, Tata Capital, Tata Power,  Indian Hotels, Tata Communications, Tata Electronics, Air India and Tata Digital.

About Air India

Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India pioneered India’s aviation sector. Since its first flight on October 15, 1932, Air India has an extensive domestic network and has spread its wings beyond to become a major international airline with a network across USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Far-East, SouthEast Asia, Australia and the Gulf. Air India is a member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium.

 

After 69 years as a Government-owned enterprise, Air India and Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata group in January 2022. The present management at Air India is driving the five-year transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI to establish itself as a world-class global airline with an Indian heart.

 

Vihaan.AI is Air India’s transformational roadmap over five years with clear milestones. It will be focusing on dramatically growing both its network and fleet, developing a completely revamped customer proposition, improving reliability and on-time performance. The airline will also be taking a leadership position in technology, sustainability, and innovation, while aggressively investing in the best industry talent. Vihaan.AI is aimed at putting Air India on a path to sustained growth, profitability and market leadership.

About Vistara (TATA SIA Airlines Limited)

TATA SIA Airlines Limited, known by the brand name Vistara, is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA). Vistara brings together Tata’s and SIA’s legendary hospitality and renowned service excellence to offer the finest full-service flying experience in India. Vistara commenced its commercial operations on January 9, 2015, with an aim to set new standards in the aviation industry in India and it today connects destinations across India and abroad.

 

The airline has a fleet of 53 aircraft, including 41 Airbus A320, five Airbus A321neo, five Boeing 737-800NG and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and has flown more than 35 million customers since starting operations.