On January 2, 2025, Air India, India’s leading global airline, began operating its flagship A350-900 aircraft on non-stop flights between New Delhi and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey.

This milestone follows the inauguration of Air India’s A350 service on the Delhi-New York (JFK) route on November 1, 2024. Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, Campbell Wilson, during the launch said, “The A350 is not just another aircraft for Air India; it is a symbol of the new Air India.”

With this launch, “Air India now serves all non-stop flights between India’s capital and the New York region with its A350 aircraft, offering its all-new interiors, including private suites in Business Class and a Premium Economy cabin, as well as an award-winning new Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system, enhanced catering, and new service ware,” noted a statement from Air India on January 2nd. 

To celebrate, Air India’s cabin crew embarked on a cinematic journey through New York City, recreating iconic moments and visiting landmarks featured in globally popular Hollywood and Bollywood movies. Dressed in new uniforms designed by Manish Malhotra, the crew strolled through the bustling city, “expressing their excitement and pride” in showcasing the “new Air India experience,” to the New York region.

Air India Introduces In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity

In a separate announcement, Air India said on January 1, 2025, it has rolled out Wi-Fi internet connectivity on domestic and international flights operated by its Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select Airbus A321neo aircraft.

The airline became the first carrier to offer in-flight Wi-Fi on domestic routes within India, allowing passengers to stay connected during their journeys.

The domestic rollout follows a pilot program on international services, including flights to New York, London, Paris, and Singapore. The program uses Airbus A350, select Airbus A321neo, and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

“Connectivity is now an integral part of modern travel. For some, it is about the convenience and comfort of real-time sharing, while for others, it is about greater productivity and efficiency. Whatever be one’s purpose, we are confident that our guests will appreciate having the option of connecting to the web and enjoy the new Air India experience on board these aircraft,” said Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India.

For an introductory period, Wi-Fi services will be complimentary, the airline noted adding it plans to expand the service across its fleet progressively.

In December last year, the airline announced that it had placed an order for 100 additional Airbus aircraft, consisting of 10 widebody A350s and 90 narrowbody A320 Family aircraft, including the A321neo. This order of 100 new planes is on top of the 470 aircraft Air India had already committed to purchasing from Airbus and Boeing in 2023.

In a statement, Chairman, Tata Sons and Air India, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, said, “With India’s passenger growth outpacing the rest of the world, its significantly improving infrastructure and an aspirational young population increasingly going global, we see a clear case for Air India to expand its future fleet beyond the firm orders of the 470 aircraft placed last year,” adding “These additional 100 Airbus aircraft will help to position Air India on the path to greater growth and contribute to our mission of building Air India into a world-class airline that connects India to every corner of the world.”

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