Air India has unveiled new Business, Premium Economy and Economy seats for Airbus A320 fleet. The airline has already retrofitted two A320neos with these new seats, with 38 more to go.
New seats for Air India A320neo fleet
Air India’s retrofitted A320neo fleet will feature 8 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats and 132 standard Economy Class seats. With this, Air India will introduce Premium Economy cabins for the first time on its narrow-body aircraft. It’s nice to see the airline has adopted Vistara’s configuration for its A320neo fleet and gone ahead with introducing Premium Economy product.
Presently, Air India has refitted two new A320neo aircraft – VT-RTW and VT-RTZ. The seats in all the three cabins are from Collins Aerospace and customised by Air India according to its requirements.
The introduction of a three-class cabin to Air India’s narrowbody fleet and commencement of interior refits are important steps in the journey of enhancing the flying experience. The upgrade of the
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said.
narrowbody fleet, which operates on domestic and short-haul international network, complements the upgraded widebody experience now available on our A350 fleet and new B777s, and on all other widebodies as they are refitted over the next two years. This comprehensive upgradation of Air India’s physical product is an important component of transforming into a world-class airline.
The airline says a distinct feature on its A320neo aircraft is an “innovative” mood lighting with planned illumination settings during take-off, landing, meal service and even to celebrate India’s national days. The carrier adds that the lighting is “designed to enhance the overall in-flight experience, creating a subtle and soothing environment for guests to relax”.
Air India A320 new Business seats
The new Business Class seats have 40-inch seat pitch with 7-inch recline, an adjustable armrest, footrest and backrest, a tray table deployed at the push of a button that includes a Portable Electronic Device (PED) holder and is extendable and multiple charging ports.
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New A320neo Premium Economy and Economy seats
Air India’s inaugural Premium Economy seats are larger with “superior upholstery”, four-way headrest, wider 32-inch seat pitch with a 4-inch recline, and other amenities such as a PED holder and USB charging port.
Passengers travelling in Premium Economy will have more meal options to choose from, which will be served in “upgraded” crockery and cutlery.
The new Economy seats have 28-29 inch seat pitch, 4-inch recline, PED holder, tray-table, USB charging port and a coat hook.
First flights
Air India’s first two A320neo with new seats will start flying from 1st July 2024 on the following routes with the following schedule:
The aircraft will fly on Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Chandigarh routes.
Thoughts on the new seats
Air India’s narrow-body fleet has been in need of a major overhaul for the longest time. We have time and again seen reports of passengers complaining about the condition of seats and overall flying experience. Therefore, it’s good to see the airline finally announce a retrofit program for its A320 fleet.
As for the seats, they look beautiful in the pictures. How comfortable they will be and how the upholstery of the seats will be, we will come to know when the aircraft enters passenger service and first reviews from passengers come in.
It’s not clear yet whether these seats will make their way on Air India’s A321 fleet. The airline’s A321s have an average age of 11.9 years according to planespotters.net so they have quite a bit of life left with them. The A321s’ Economy Class features 31-inch seat pitch, which happens to be one of the most generous seat pitches out there in the narrow-body market. If the new Economy seats do make their way onto A321s, I will surely miss the large legroom the current seats have. But as they say, change is the only constant. And with Air India trying to compete with best of the best airlines while trying to survive in an aviation market as cruel as the one in India, every inch on an aircraft matters.
Featured image by Air India
All the other images by Air India
What do you think of the new seats for Air India A320neo fleet? Let me know in the comments section below.
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