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An <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword>'s London-bound flight returned to Delhi airport after a mid-air brawl in which a passenger caused "physical harm" to cabin crew members. An Air India official told ANI, "<keyword id="17084665" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-111-Delhi-to-London-flight" source="Orion">AI-111 Delhi to London flight</keyword> with 256 passengers landed safely at Delhi airport after an unruly behaviour of passenger created ruckus on board." The flight, which took off for Heathrow Airport (London) at around 6:30 am on Monday returned to Delhi airport at around 10 am after the crew reported to pilots about the physical altercation mid-flight. In a statement, Air India said, "Air India flight AI 111 scheduled to operate Delhi-London Heathrow on April 10, 2023, returned to Delhi shortly after departure due to the serious unruly behaviour of a passenger on board. Not heeding verbal and written warnings, the passenger continued with unruly behaviour including causing physical harm to two of the cabin crew members." "The pilot in command decided to return to Delhi and the passenger was handed over to the security personnel upon landing. An FIR has also been lodged with the police. Safety, security and dignity of all on board are important to us at Air India. We are providing all possible support to the affected crew members. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers and have rescheduled the flight to depart for London this afternoon," Air India said. After the plane landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Air India filed a police complaint about the passenger's "indecent behaviour" at the police station. Legal action is being taken against the said passenger. The airline said it has also informed the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the incident. This is not the first time Air India witnessed such a ruckus on a flight. Earlier, in January, a man, identified as Shankar Mishra was arrested of allegedly urinating on a woman on board an AI flight on November 26 last year. The Delhi Police arrested him on January 6 this year. In an inebriated condition, Mishra urinated on a 70-year-old woman on an Air India flight on November 26 last year. Delhi Police had registered an FIR against him on January 4 on a complaint given by the woman to Air India. The police registered an FIR under sections 354, 509, and 510 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 23 of the Indian Aircraft Act. Both the accused and the victim are from outside Delhi. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/tata-motors-rallies-nearly-8-on-strong-jlr-sales-in-march-quarter-analysts-bullish-with-an-eye-on-margins/articleshow/99372607.cms">Tata Motors rallies nearly 8% on strong JLR sales in March quarter; Analysts bullish with an eye on margins</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/telecom-companies-q4-revenue-likely-to-moderate-due-to-lack-of-significant-tariff-hikes/articleshow/99368163.cms">Telecom companies’ Q4 revenue likely to moderate due to lack of significant tariff hikes</a>

Air India's London-bound flight returns to Delhi after 'unruly' passenger fights with crew

Here’s the complete flight schedule from United Kingdom to India under Vande Bharat Mission phase 6

<keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> has enhanced free check-in baggage allowance for passengers flying between Delhi and Mumbai on its newly-launched <keyword id="6357957" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boeing">Boeing</keyword> 747 service to 40kg and 50 kg for economy and business classes, respectively. 
 
Currently, AI allows 25kg of free check-in baggage in economy class and 35kg in business class compared to 15 kg offered by other airlines, according to The Times of India. 
 AI recently started operating two daily flights of its jumbo join the <keyword id="832742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai-Delhi">Mumbai-Delhi</keyword> route and two on the <keyword id="245594" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Mumbai">Delhi-Mumbai</keyword> route. The B-747 flights are in addition to the numerous other flights AI operates between Delhi and Mumbai on its narrow body <keyword id="6356166" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbus">Airbus</keyword> A-320 fleet. 
 AI Jumbo Jets, at present being used for <keyword id="98019" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="VVIP">VVIP</keyword> long haul flights of the President, vice president and PM, have operated on the Delhi-Mumbai route earlier too but those flights were as part of an international routing - <keyword id="4038933" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-mumbai-london">Delhi-Mumbai-London</keyword> or <keyword id="4038935" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai-delhi-new-york">Mumbai-Delhi-New York</keyword> (via <keyword id="6354968" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="London">London</keyword>), for instance. 
 
These flights used to be in the early hours of the day - usually between midnight and 5am. Tickets on the domestic leg of these flights used to be sold cheap, making them the first low cost flight for budget flyers in India. 
 
"Passengers flying on Delhi-Mumbai route will have an opportunity to experience flying the airlines' legendary 'Queen of the Skies' and can avail this facility from Saturday (Jan 7)," an AI statement said. "AI is the only carrier to operate the 423-seater jumbo jet wide body B-747 on India's busiest route." Air India passengers on Delhi-Mumbai route can travel on jumbo jets from January 7, TOI reported.

Now carry 50 kg luggage on Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight

<ul><li><keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> grounded two pilots on different international flights on the same day for failing alcohol tests before take off. </li><li>Air India Director (Operations) Captain, AK Kathpalia, who has failed a pre-flight <keyword id="927090" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="alcohol-test">alcohol test</keyword> previously, was to fly Delhi-London AI-111 flight but failed the mandatory test and was declared ‘unfit to fly.’ </li><li>Air India Delhi-Bangkok AIC332 was forced to return to Delhi 36 mins after departure after its co-pilot was found to have missed a mandatory alcohol test. </li></ul>Air India grounded two pilots on different international flights on the same day for failing alcohol tests before departure. An Air India flight from Delhi to Bangkok faced significant delays as its co-pilot <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/air-india-bangkok-delhi-flight-forced-to-return-after-co-pilot-misses-breath-analyser-test-5441510/">missed</a> the mandatory preflight <keyword id="929669" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="breath-analyser-test">breath analyser test</keyword>, according to reports. As per aviation <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/india/air-indias-delhi-bangkok-flight-returns-as-co-pilot-misses-alcohol-test-passengers-left-stranded-for-hours-1935849.html">rules</a>, a pilot is considered breath analyser-positive even if he forgets to take the test. The Bangkok-bound flight AIC332 was scheduled to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1:45 PM on Sunday. While the plane took off after adelay of several hours, it was made to return to Delhi 36 mins after its departure, ANI <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/air-india-bangkok-delhi-flight-forced-to-return-after-co-pilot-misses-breath-analyser-test-5441510/">reported</a>. The passengers on the plane reported that there had been no official announcement regarding the delay in flight take off. One agitated flyer tweeted to complain about the unplanned delay. 
 
 
 
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 The incident was reportedly the second one in the same day of an Air India pilot failing an alcohol test minutes before flight departure. Earlier on Sunday, Air India’s Director (Operations) Captain, AK Kathpalia, was booked by airport authorities for failing the breath analyser test before a Delhi-London flight. He was reportedly given another chance, but the test result came out to be positive and ‘unfit to fly’. Captain Kathpalia was grounded for the same offense in January last year, while he was scheduled to operate a flight from New Delhi to Bengaluru. He had refused to go through the test before the take off, denying the test after landing on the Bengaluru Airport, Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-pilot-fails-breath-analyser-test/articleshow/66578408.cms">reported earlier.</a> On Monday, Airport authorities reportedly suspended Kathpalia's flying license for three years. Kathpalia said that he would contend the results stating that he had been a victim of internal feuding with the airline, Mint <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Companies/x7lJjgoXNZWGsHRx0fHXaN/Air-India-operations-director-loses-pilot-licence-for-3-year.html" data-type="tilCustomLink">reported</a>.

Two Air India pilots fail breath analyser test before international flights

<ul><li>Passengers flying first class from Newark-Mumbai on Thursday were greeted with the nasty bedbug bites on their 8-month-old infant.</li><li>Earlier this week, a father complained to the airlines that his daughters were also bitten by bedbugs on the same AI-144 flight but the planes were different. </li><li>The bedbug problem is not limited to <keyword id="2573" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> alone. In October 2017, a similar incident occurred on a <keyword id="52088" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="British-Airways">British Airways</keyword> plane that was headed from Vancouver to London. </li></ul>Looks like India’s national air carrier, Air India, is vying to beat the country’s national rail network with regards to which one is filthier. Passengers flying first class - tickets costing upwards of ₹2,00,000 per person - from Newark-Mumbai on Thursday were greeted with the nasty bedbug bites on their 8-month-old infant. The distressed child was crying uncontrollably and when the mother checked under the baby’s clothes she discovered she was covered with bug bites and was also bleeding. According to a <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/shell-out-rs-2-lakh-experience-bug-bites-in-business-class-on-air-india/articleshow/65061841.cms">Times of India</a> source, the baby and her mother were occupying seat numbers 12 and 14 that are adjacent since the plane does not have a seat numbered 13 as it is considered unlucky. However, it is highly unlikely the problem is limited to only these two seats since bedbugs, unlike other passengers, are not contained to one spot. But things don’t end there, the bedbug problem is not limited to only one Air India plane. Earlier this week, a father complained to the airlines that his daughters were also bitten by bedbugs on the same AI-144 flight but the planes were different. 
 



	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="pat_tons" handlename="Pravin Tonsekar" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/571213948881473536/YVJ5x4qR_normal.jpeg" favoritecount="5" retweetcount="5" status="@airindiain @sureshpprabhu @narendramodi_in Suresh Prabhuji - just arrived from New York on Air India 144 business… https://t.co/2eT8H0ThW4" createdat="1531823154000" id="1019166292681650176"></div>















 This particular incident lead to an almost four-hour delay in the last leg of the flight, from <keyword id="6358070" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword> to Delhi, thanks to appalled passengers, obviously. But before you go on to write-off Air India forever, perhaps it's worth noting that this problem is not limited to this carrier alone. In October 2017, a similar <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41685266">incident</a> occurred on a British Airways plane that was headed from Vancouver to London. A Canadian man alerted the flight attendants about the presence of bedbugs where he, his fiance and child were seated, but because there was no other seat available, they were forced to stay where they were. And sure enough, the next day the little girl was covered with bites. British Airways acknowledged the problem and apologised to the family two days after they posted their grievance in social media and also <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2017/10/21/bed-bugs-on-a-plane-british-airways-apologizes-to-bitten-passengers/#44b648554fbc">‘upgraded’</a> their return flight to business class. However, in Air India’s case, an <keyword id="34984" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="airline">airline</keyword> spokesperson simply responded with a measly “will investigate and revert”. It also looks like this is a perennial problem with complaints of bedbugs dating back to 2015 on Twitter. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="clickflik" handlename="The Tolerant Indian!" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/755028318781485056/GBp5Va_-_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="Air India is commendable , first airline in world to have bedbugs in sitting chair." createdat="1438318485000" id="626979287204241408"></div>















 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="PranavKacholia" handlename="Pranav Kacholia" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/443634357299707904/pcBT3LmJ_normal.jpeg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="Itchi air India flight-Mum -Nagpur 5.55 AM. I can tolerate anything but bed bugs on my seat. @airindiain @indiatvnews @timesofindia" createdat="1507508930000" id="917185047072878592"></div>















 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="imashishg" handlename="Ashish Goyal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/934344975327756288/k3ytYNds_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="@airindiain Yesterday I traveled first time in air india from pune to delhi in flight no AI854 and I found couple o… https://t.co/cPbIj217ST" createdat="1516789793000" id="956111807680147456"></div>















 
	
	




 If Air India wants people to still fly on its planes, maybe it is time they got a few exterminators on board beforehand.

Another feather in the cap for Air India, first class passengers complain about bedbugs on international flight

<ul><li>AI is offering all-inclusive fares starting at ₹40,000 for a round trip and ₹25,000 for a one-way journey on non-stop flights to five European cities. </li><li>Bookings under this promotion are open until 14 October 2023, with travel valid until 15 December 2023.</li><li>An incentive for Indian travellers are off-season discounts available during this period. </li></ul>The travel bug has bit one and all after the pandemic. Surveys show that more and more Indians are planning foreign trips and <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> wants to cash in on this as they expand their footprint aggressively under the Tata Group. The group had, only last month, announced that its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/news/now-air-india-can-help-you-fly-to-quaint-european-cities-without-an-airport-even/articleshow/102940199.cms">passengers can book</a> on-ground train and bus connections to over 100 cities and towns with their air ticket. The airline has now introduced a limited-time promotion, offering attractive economy class fares on select routes from India to five European cities, including the United Kingdom (UK). This special offer includes all-inclusive fares starting at ₹40,000 for a round trip and ₹25,000 for a one-way journey on non-stop flights to Copenhagen (Denmark), London Heathrow (UK), Milan (Italy), Paris (France), and Vienna (Austria). Air India operates 48 non-stop flights every week from Delhi and Mumbai to these five European cities. Bookings under this promotion are open until 14 October 2023, with travel valid until 15 December 2023. The sale is available through all channels, including Air India's website, iOS and Android mobile apps, and through authorised travel agents. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Europe popular with Indian tourists during the festive season" comment="Subhead" text="Europe popular with Indian tourists during the festive season">Europe popular with Indian tourists during the festive season</cmsannotation> As we know Europe is a popular summer destination for Indians. However, in summer the <keyword id="6375796" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airfares" source="Orion">airfares</keyword> are high, plus tourists often complain that they cannot visit a tourist destination properly because of the big crowds. Recently Europe has become a popular destination for Indian tourists during the festive season ( from October to December), for various reasons. The beauty of fall: Firstly, Europe looks like a magical winter wonderland during this time, with snowy streets and beautiful Christmas decorations in cities like London, Vienna, and Paris. This is a big contrast to the warm weather in India. Moreover, Europe's rich cultural heritage and traditions come to life during this time. From attending magical Christmas markets to witnessing light festivals and grand celebrations, Indian tourists love the unique festivities that are deeply rooted in European culture. These events create an atmosphere of joy and togetherness, making it an ideal time for families to create cherished memories. Discounts galore: Another incentive for Indian travellers is the off-season discounts available during this period. Airlines and hotels often offer attractive deals and reduced rates as Europe sees fewer tourists in fall. This, in turn, makes it a budget-friendly option for many Indian families, allowing them to explore and experience the charm of Europe without breaking the bank. These cost-saving opportunities further enhance Europe's appeal as a prime destination for festive season travel.

In bid to go aggressive in the international skies, Air India launches discounted airfare to Europe

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/heathrow-london-uk-may-3-air-240107209?src=MVMKxM-L8rJGUwkjD7UnSA-1-3">IanC66/shutterstock</a></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>An <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/air-india">Air India</a> pilot was fired by the airline after twice failing a breathalyzer test an hour before he was scheduled to pilot a plane.</li><li>According to Economic Times of India, Captain Arvind Kathpalia of Air India Airlines was scheduled to pilot AI-Flight 111 from Delhi to London on November 11 when he failed a pre-flight breathalyzer test and deemed "not fit to fly." </li><li>Economic Times in India reports Captain Kathpalia was relieved of his duties "with immediate effect" and that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended his flying license for three years. </li><li>Reuters reports that Kathpalia plans to contest this charge. </li></ul>An Air India pilot was fired by the airline after twice failing a breathalyzer test an hour before he was scheduled to pilot a plane, multiple sources have reported. According to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-indias-director-of-operations-steps-down-after-failing-pilot-breath-tests/articleshow/66607779.cms">Economic Times of India</a>, Captain Arvind Kathpalia of Air India Airlines was scheduled to pilot AI-Flight 111 from Delhi to London on November 11 when he failed a pre-flight breathalyzer test and deemed "not fit to fly." <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/travel/air-india-pilot-grounded-after-reportedly-failing-two-breathalyzer-tests-before-flight">Fox News</a> reports that after failing his first test, Kathpalia was administered a second test, but failed that one as well. Economic Times in India <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-indias-director-of-operations-steps-down-after-failing-pilot-breath-tests/articleshow/66607779.cms">reports</a> Captain Kathpalia was relieved of his duties "with immediate effect" and that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended his flying license for three years. Read More: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-flight-attendant-hospitalized-after-falling-from-plane-2018-10">An Air India flight attendant was hospitalized after falling from a parked plane onto the tarmac</a><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-director-loses-licence-for-3-yrs-after-failing-booze-test/articleshow/66598241.cms">The Times of India</a> has confirmed Captain Kathpalia was one of 10 directors on the board of Air India and that he was the airline's director of operations, a position that left him "in charge of ensuring safe and efficient flight operations." Air India did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/travel/air-india-pilot-grounded-after-reportedly-failing-two-breathalyzer-tests-before-flight">reports</a> Air India released a statement that said, "We have grounded Capt. AK Kathpalia as he failed twice in the breath analyzer test. He was given another chance, but the second test was also found positive, following which he was grounded."Kathpalia first came under the watch of airline authorities in January 2017, when The Times of India <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-director-loses-licence-for-3-yrs-after-failing-booze-test/articleshow/66598241.cms">reports</a> he refused to undergo a mandatory pre-flight Breathalyzer test in Delhi, and then refused once again to undergo a post-flight test upon landing in Bengaluru. While the DGCA suspended his license for three months in March 2017, The Times of India <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-director-loses-licence-for-3-yrs-after-failing-booze-test/articleshow/66598241.cms">reports</a> Kathpalia was removed from his position as Air India's executive director of operations, but three weeks later the Appointments Committee of Cabinet approved his appointment to the director of operations position for a five-year term. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-airlines-pilot/air-india-operations-director-stopped-from-piloting-flight-after-failing-breath-tests-idUSKCN1NG0RO">Reuters</a> reports that Kathpalia plans to contest this latest charge and that he is quoted as saying his 2017 charge is "a complete set-up." "It was 1:30 in the afternoon, only a bloody stark raving alcoholic is bloody drunk at 1:30 in the afternoon," Kathpalia said, according to Reuters, who reported Kathpalia denied that he had been drinking and quoted him as saying at Air India "everyone is fighting with everyone" and that he had been targeted. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-you-shouldnt-be-afraid-to-fly-2016-10">Why you shouldn't be afraid to fly, according to a pilot with over 20 years of experience </a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

An Air India pilot failed two breathalyzer tests before trying to fly a plane, but he denies he was drunk after being fired

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Zach Honig" title_caption="Zach Honig is editor of The Points Guy." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5a86e13dd030721d008b47d3-960/zach%20honig%20.png"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/ZachHonig/status/963265334517141504/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthepointsguy.com%2F2018%2F02%2F10-reasons-i-liked-air-india%2F">Zach Honig</a>Zach Honig is editor of The Points Guy.</div></div></div>Air India might not be an obvious choice for a flight from New York to London - but when Zach Honig, editor of <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Points Guy</a>, spotted a one-way business class ticket for $1,226 (£870) he couldn't resist.The airline doesn't even rank in the top 100 in the world, according to <a href="http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Awards/world_airline_rating.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skytrax</a>, but Honig's recent experience was surprisingly good - luxurious even.Especially when you consider that this wasn't Honig's first time flying AI. The first trip he took with the carrier in 2017 - Delhi to New York - he deemed&#xa0;<a href="https://thepointsguy.com/2017/05/air-india-777-business-review/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"arguably the worst business class flight of my life."</a>This time, he flew the Air India 787 Dreamliner, documented his trip in a <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/2018/02/10-reasons-i-liked-air-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blog post</a>,&#xa0;and shared photos of the trip with Business Insider.Scroll down to find out how Air India redeemed itself with this six-hour red eye business class flight from Newark, New York to London Heathrow.

Here's what it's like to fly business class on the Air India 787 Dreamliner - and for a low-ranking airline, it's pretty luxurious

NEW DELHI: <keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> (AI) is all set to join the world's largest airline grouping company— <keyword id="137192" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Star-Alliance">Star Alliance</keyword>, this June, making it the first airline company from India to be part of a global chain of carriers. The move, according to AI CMD Rohit Nandan, will bring immense benefits to Indian fliers from day one as they will be able to earn-and-burn miles, get access to lounges across the globe and enjoy seamless connectivity across the globe. 
 
"Almost all the requirements for joining Star are complete. Some work, mostly related to IT, will be completed by mid-May. Then we are set," said Nandan. 
 
Star Alliance CEO Mark F Schwab said that the CEOs of Star's member airlines will meet in London on June 22 or 23 to have an endorsement vote on AI's entry into the fold. "Once all airline endorse the move, AI should be in Star by July. We conducted a safety review of AI and are very pleased with the results. We are very happy with the progress made by AI," the CEO said. 
 
Star had put AI's entry on hold three years back due to apprehensions expressed by other carriers. Asked what had changed from then, Schwab said: "It's a very different AI. They have been through a difficult merger process. But they have a strong management team that led to substantial improvements in the airline," said Schwab, while complimenting the leadership of Nandan — AI's first successful CMD in years. 
 
While AI has shown improvement, the fact remains Star desperately needed a member from India to take on the ever-increasing might of Gulf carriers. Together, Emirates and Etihad will soon transfer the real hubs of Indian travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, respectively. 
 
To effectively counter this challenge, AI will now tweak its schedules to become more attractive for passengers and wean them away from the Gulf carriers. "AI will tweak its schedules to align their flight timings with those of the 13 Star members which currently fly into India. A similar attempt will be made to provide seamless connectivity at foreign airports also by coordinating arrival and departure of flights with schedules of other Star members," Schwab said. 
 After becoming a part of Star, it will be expected to deliver service standards that its counterparts like <keyword id="6368386" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Singapore-Airlines">Singapore Airlines</keyword> and <keyword id="71561" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Lufthansa">Lufthansa</keyword>, AI is working on that front — something which has not been its core strength in past two decades. "We have asked IATA to undertake quarterly passenger satisfaction surveys and have undertaken a customer service improvement program with Star. The results are encouraging and we are focusing on few areas where the survey shows we need improvement. We have also started taking direct passenger surveys and get about 900 responses daily," said Nandan. The quality of inflight entertainment programming needs improvement while passengers expressed satisfaction with hardware areas like seat comfort, leg room and meals. "We are aiming to delight our guests. AI has what it takes to be among the best airlines in the world and it will get there," said Nandan. 
 
Star Alliance is the largest of the three big networks in the world, followed by OneWorld and SkyTeam. Star's market share is 26%, thanks to having 26 member airlines with almost 22,000 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. 
 
India remains crucial for global airlines as it is the fastest growing international travel market in the world. Currently, 37 million passengers fly in and out of India a year, a figure growing in double digits constantly for over a decade now — even during the global slowdown. While Indian carriers have a 33% market share, Gulf carriers account for 17%. 
 
Star has a 13% share of the international traffic to and from India. The British Airways-led OneWorld and Air France-KLM-led SkyTeam have 8% share each. Clearly with a whopping 71% market share of the world's fastest growing international travel market going to airlines not part of any alliance, the three biggies are desperate to get a share of this pie.

Air India To Join Star Alliance In July

<div class="image-container float_right" style="width:480px"><div class="image"><keyword id="6357957" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Boeing">Boeing</keyword></div></div>A <keyword id="28762" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="fire">fire</keyword> broke out in the oven of an Air <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet in mid-flight Wednesday, scaring passengers but not causing any serious damage.
Mint, an Indian newspaper associated with the Wall Street Journal, <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Companies/vPa8L8NGUfZ4kw3u6M210K/Dreamliner-oven-fire-spooks-Air-India-crew.html" target="_blank">reported the fire started on Flight AI-020</a>, from Delhi to Kolkata, and that it did not affect areas outside the oven. The crew put it out with fire extinguishers.
The oven in question was removed after landing and the plane has returned to service, <a href="http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130725/PC05/130729619/1010/report-oven-catches-fire-on-boeing-787-dreamliner-made-in-north-charleston" target="_blank">according to the Post and Courier</a>.
"We are aware of the event and are working with the customer," a Boeing spokesperson said, declining to comment further.
This is a far cry from the very serious lithium-ion battery issues that plagued the Dreamliner earlier this year, and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/faa-approves-return-of-boeing-dreamliner-to-service-2013-4" target="_blank">led federal aviation officials to ground the plane</a> for several months.
Nor is it as worrying as the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/787-damage-poses-new-challenge-for-boeing-2013-7" target="_blank">fire that broke out on an empty Dreamliner at London's Heathrow Airport</a> on July 12. Investigators traced the flames to the plane's Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). Today, the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/25/us-boeing-dreamliner-faa-idUSBRE96O0V020130725" target="_blank">FAA instructed airlines to remove or inspect ELTs on 787s</a>.
Nonetheless, it's a good bet that Boeing is tired of seeing the term "fire" associated with its new plane.
Despite a spate of incidents involving Boeing <keyword id="6367788" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Planes">planes</keyword>, including the deadly crash landing of Asiana Flight 214 in San Francisco on July 6, the plane maker <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-q2-earnings-2013-7" target="_blank">beat earning expectations and saw its stock jump</a> when it released its Q2 financial results Wednesday.

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