I’d read all the buzz around the introduction of the A350 into the Air India fleet. I’ve flown Air India for over 10 years now, on domestic flights as well as for travel between Singapore and Chennai, Goa, and Bengaluru, amongst others. I even remember flights on (erstwhile) Indian Airlines as a child. It’s always exciting when an airline, especially one with a storied past like Air India, rebrands. The catering on board has always been pretty good and the cabin crew, generous and quite charming.

This time around, the airline is promising brand new cabins that are well appointed, well maintained, and accompanied by a slew of new amenities. Along with a change of livery, I was happy to see the elevated design and aesthetics of the Business Class experience. After reading about it all in the news, I was curious to try it out in person.

For me, another important reason for selecting Air India was that it is a member of Star Alliance. My journey with Air India allows me to earn elite-qualifying tier miles, which I can redeem on any of the other Star Alliance airlines.

The all-new A350 experience

All I can say is, the Maharaja is back! I’d carefully selected Delhi as my transit point to be able to fly the A350 as flights to London from Mumbai are instead operated by the 777-300ERs. On flight AI111 from Delhi to Heathrow, I was seated in 4A. The Business Class suite comes with a door for privacy and a shallow wardrobe for my jacket. The footwell and seat area are spacious, and the walls are high. I found the tray table to be well designed as it can be used as a smaller tray for drinks or pulled out fully to become a large dining table. There’s also a generously-sized side table and a storage compartment with a door. The colours are as pleasing to the eye as they are in pictures.

The amenities, on the other hand, are bountiful and beautifully presented. I really liked the locally-inspired designs. This is what I received:

• A set of pyjamas, something that not many airlines provide in their Business Class
• A pair of slippers in the shoe storage compartment
• A Ferragamo amenity kit within a cotton bag embellished with a lotus mandala pattern and a gold Maharaja charm
• An intricately-patterned day blanket that can also be used as a shawl
• An ingenious 2-in-1 mattress and pillow that can folded as a firm cushion or opened when making your bed
• A very plush and comfortable duvet

Catering is one of the most important aspects of a flight and the new crockery really elevates the dining experience. The champagne served has been upgraded and the menus are colourful. There are beautiful patterns everywhere—on the stylish ramekins, cutlery, and glassware. I dined on a makai paneer bhurji and laal maas accompanied by a glass of Laurent[1]Perrier champagne.

There are a couple of other things unique to the A350 aircraft. One is the bar at the rear of the cabin. I appreciated the drinks and snacks placed there. It is an ideal spot from where to peek out the windows and enjoy the views and sunlight when the cabin is darkened.

But what makes or breaks a journey is the people you meet. I had the pleasure of having an enthusiastic cabin crew who were beaming with pride over the new Manish Malhotra uniforms they donned and the improved product that they can now offer to their guests. It seemed like the crew and the other passengers, too, were happy to be in this newly-revitalised travelling environment.

Flying with Air India has been, to use the famous quote from Forrest Gump (1994), “like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”. This A350 experience sets the standard for the rebirth of Air India. I had met Campbell [Wilson, Air India CEO] many years ago and I am excited to see the magic he and his team at Air India will create as the product evolves with the refurbishment of the 777s and Dreamliner 787s.

All I can say is that the Maharaja has some exciting days ahead.

Contributed by Chua Enlai