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The country's largest airline <keyword id="19899182" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IndiGo" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="IndiGo" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="IndiGo">IndiGo</keyword> on Thursday announced placing an order for 30 wide-body <keyword id="21429187" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="A350-900" source="keywords">A350-900</keyword> planes. The airline, which is expanding its international presence, has till now been operating only narro-body <keyword id="19913415" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbus" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Airbus" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Airbus">Airbus</keyword> aircraft except for two <keyword id="19915275" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="boeing" source="keywords">Boeing</keyword> 777 planes leased from Turkish Airlines for operations on the Istanbul route. <br /><br /> In a release, the carrier said it has entered the "wide body space with an order for 30 firm Airbus A350-900 aircraft". <br /><br /> These planes will be powered by <keyword id="20264024" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rolls-Royce" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Rolls Royce" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Rolls Royce">Rolls Royce</keyword>'s Trent XWB engine. <br /><br /> "The exact configuration of the aircraft will be decided at a later stage, and the deliveries are expected to start from 2027. In addition to the 30 firm A350-900 order, IndiGo has purchase rights for an additional 70 Airbus A350 family aircraft, at its discretion, for possible future needs under certain conditions," it said. <br /><br /> Currently, IndiGo operates over 350 aircraft. <br /><br /> In June last year, IndiGo placed the largest ever single aircraft order by any airline for 500 aircraft with Airbus.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jiocinema-introduces-new-ad-free-premium-plans-starting-at-29/articleshow/109581033.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jiocinema-introduces-new-ad-free-premium-plans-starting-at-29/articleshow/109581033.cms" target="_blank">An Ambani disruption in OTT: At just ₹1 per day, you can now enjoy ad-free content on JioCinema</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-narzo-70-narzo-70x-5g-smartphones-launched-in-india-starting-at-11999/articleshow/109557895.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-narzo-70-narzo-70x-5g-smartphones-launched-in-india-starting-at-11999/articleshow/109557895.cms" target="_blank">Realme Narzo 70, Narzo 70X 5G smartphones launched in India starting at ₹11,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-let-loose-event-scheduled-for-may-7-ipads-expected-to-be-launched/articleshow/109553148.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-let-loose-event-scheduled-for-may-7-ipads-expected-to-be-launched/articleshow/109553148.cms" target="_blank">Apple Let Loose event scheduled for May 7 – New iPad models expected to be launched</a></b><br />

IndiGo places order for 30 wide-body A350-900 planes

I went on Air India's brand new Airbus A350 that will soon be flying to the US. I was impressed by the airline's transformation.

<ul><li>You can get <keyword id="23085304" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple-AirPods-4" source="keywords">Apple AirPods 4</keyword> and <keyword id="20524550" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple-Pencil" source="keywords">Apple Pencil</keyword> for free in India</li><li>This is part of a <keyword id="23216168" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="limited-time-deal" source="keywords">limited-time deal</keyword> by <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword></li><li>The accessories are available for free with purchase of selected devices</li></ul><br />Apple, during the “It’s Glowtime” event held earlier this month, introduced us all to the <keyword id="20994992" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airpods-4" source="Orion">AirPods 4</keyword>. In addition to this, the company also announced that the AirPods Pro would now be functioning as a hearing aid as well. The company also got FDA’s nod for the same recently. What if we tell you that you can grab the new AirPods 4 and the Apple Pencil for free? Read on to know how. <br /><br /><h2>Apple’s limited-time deal in India<br /></h2><br />Apple has rolled out a special offer for university students and staff across India, providing substantial discounts on some Mac and iPad models. The offer also includes <keyword id="23216169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="free-accessories" source="keywords">free accessories</keyword> like AirPods or an Apple Pencil, as well as a 20 percent discount on AppleCare+ plans. This promotion is available exclusively through Apple’s Education Store and will run until September 30, 2024.<br /><br />Eligible students and staff can purchase Apple devices at reduced prices under this deal. One of the standout offers is the <keyword id="19927330" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MacBook-Air" source="keywords">MacBook Air</keyword>, which is available at a starting price of Rs 89,900, and comes with a free set of AirPods 4. Additionally, the <keyword id="20025151" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iPad-Air" source="keywords">iPad Air</keyword> is priced at Rs 54,900 and includes a complimentary Apple Pencil.<br /><br />For those seeking higher-end devices, Apple is also offering discounts on its premium products. The MacBook Pro can be purchased starting at Rs 158,900, while the iPad Pro is available for Rs 89,900. Both of these devices come with either AirPods or an Apple Pencil, depending on the model.<br /><br />Apple’s Mac Mini and iMac are also part of this educational promotion, offering savings and coming bundled with free AirPods.<br /><br /> <h2>How to access the deal<br /></h2><br />To get the discounts or free AirPods 4 and Apple Pencil, students and staff will have to verify their status through Unidays, a third-party service that confirms their eligibility. The verification process is straightforward and requires a valid university or educational institute ID. Once verified, customers can access Apple’s Education Store and complete their purchase.<br /><br />It is important to note that this promotion cannot be combined with other offers, such as no-cost EMI or cashback from banks. Additionally, the offer is only valid for purchases made during the promotional period, which concludes on September 30, 2024. <br /><br />

You can get free Apple Airpods 4 and Apple Pencil with this limited-time deal in India, details here

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Air India is undergoing a complete transformation after years of decline under government control.</li><li>The airline has ordered hundreds of new aircraft and is investing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-new-airbus-a350-big-improvement-tour-review-2024-1">$400 million in cabin retrofits</a>.</li></ul><p>Between 1932 and 2021, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-ownership-comes-full-circle-tata-sons-bid-win-2021-10">Air India went from being the gold standard of aviation</a> under the Tata Group to a nationalized airline in complete disarray.</p><p>People flying Air India's older planes routinely faced bad customer service, poor reliability, dirty cabins, and broken seats patched with duct tape. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-business-class-a350-compared-to-777-legacy-2024-2?mrfhud=true">Even in business class.</a></p><p>The downfall started in 1953 when the Indian government took over, stripping control away from the Tata Group.</p><p>However, with government ownership proving disastrous and Air India in desperate need of modernization, the Tatas announced a deal to buy the company back in 2021 and quickly got to work with a completely new brand identity. </p><p>"The list of things to do at Air India, and the list of opportunities ahead of us, are astonishing," the airline's new CEO, Campbell Wilson, told Business Insider in January. "And, in most of these cases, it is not a matter of 'Is there a case to do it?' but 'What do we do first?'"</p><p>Some of the changes are less in-your-face, like an updated mobile app and website and a new inflight safety <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al51WZcN2_U">video</a>.</p><p>However, customers will soon start seeing the "new Air India" everywhere, thanks to the Tata Group's huge multimillion-dollar investments in its planes, products, and people.</p><h2>A record Airbus and Boeing order</h2><div type="image" title="The author standing in front of the Air India A350." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073593" hostid="261" sizebytes="951578"></div><p>At the Paris Airshow in June 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-boeing-record-order-500-planes-india-airline-indigo-report-2023-6">Air India announced orders for a record 470 Airbus and Boeing</a> aircraft, including 40 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 10 Boeing 777Xs, 140 Airbus A320neos, 70 Airbus A321neos, and 190 Boeing 737 Maxs.</p><p>The aircraft, worth an estimated $70 billion at list price, will sport <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/about-us/pdf/AirIndia-Ournewbrand.pdf">Air India's new livery and logo</a>.</p><p>The latter is known as "The Vista." Air India says it's "inspired by the peak of the gold window frame" and signifies "limitless possibilities, progressiveness, and the airline's bold, confident outlook for the future."</p><div type="image" title="The gold Vista logo on a purple inflight menu." height="2323" width="3097" msid="108073595" hostid="261" sizebytes="677462"></div><p>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-business-class-a350-compared-to-777-legacy-2024-2">first delivery was an Airbus A350-900</a> in December. The new plane launched on domestic routes, like Bengaluru and Mumbai, in January and will eventually launch overseas, Air India says. It's very likely to fly to the US, though Air India has yet to release specific cities.</p><p>"We are proud to be working with all our partners in this journey to rebuild a global airline which reflects India taking a more confident posture around the world," Wilson said. </p><h2>Passenger comfort is getting a much-needed refresh</h2><div type="image" title="Air India new business class." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073597" hostid="261" sizebytes="1079636"></div><p>The legacy cabins on Air India's Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft haven't seen an upgrade in years and are some of the main reasons the airline has such a poor reputation. </p><p>Travelers regularly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-economy-cabin-i-flew-miserable-bad-seats-review-2024-2">complain of things like the in-flight entertainment not working</a> and stains on the carpet. Air India's business class is also way behind industry standards.</p><p>Most notably, business sports a 2×3×2 layout — meaning travelers can still be assigned a dreaded middle seat. This also means those sitting in the center and window seats do not have direct aisle access.</p><div type="image" title="Air India's legacy business class, 2x3x2 with yellow seats." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073601" hostid="261" sizebytes="1276846"></div><p>This is unlike many other airlines that have upgraded their business class over the years to offer more privacy and convenience, like adding sliding doors and opting for a 1×2×1 seat configuration.</p><p>For example, Qatar Airways has added a unique quad-seating feature in its famous Q-Suite. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines offers business class with sliding doors, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/10-rare-things-on-passenger-airlines-like-bidets-showers-bars-2023-5">Emirates offers an inflight bar and lounge</a> for its premium customers flying on its Airbus A380.</p><div type="image" title="Qatar Q Suite" height="682" width="1024" msid="108073603" hostid="261" sizebytes="57194"></div><p>Air India, however, now has to play catch-up — and it's investing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-new-luxury-cabins-air-india-retrofit-onto-boeing-777-2023-8">$400 million to retrofit its legacy widebody planes</a>.</p><div type="image" title="Air India economy cabin." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073606" hostid="261" sizebytes="545256"></div><p>Wilson, Air India's CEO, said he wants to compete with the likes of Qatar and Emirates and has taken inspiration from their successful products.</p><p>Some of that can be seen in upgraded cabins on the A350, where business-class seats have privacy doors and closets, for example, with access to a small bar behind the section. The plane also sports premium economy and upgraded coach seats.</p><div type="image" title="New economy cabin on Air India with red seats and grey headrests." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073607" hostid="261" sizebytes="692510"></div><p>"By the end of 2025, the entire legacy widebody fleet will also be upgraded to match what we're getting on the A350," Wilson told BI, "So, essentially, our fleet will be completely reborn by then."</p><h2>Flight attendants and pilots are getting a makeover</h2><p>In December, Air India released photos of its new crew <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/pdfs/media-centre/media_release_air_india_unveils_new_uniforms_for_crew_12_Dec_2023.pdf">uniforms</a>.</p><p>Created by Indian designer Manish Malhotra, the collection features the airline's new red- and purple-heavy color scheme with items like a ready-to-wear saree (which can be worn with pants) for female flight attendants and a bandh gala for male flight attendants.</p><p>Pilots will sport a black suit with the Vista logo, "signifying professionalism, timelessness, and the gravitas of the flying profession."</p><div type="image" title="Air India new cabin crew and pilot uniforms. Six people are in the photo." height="1334" width="2000" msid="108073608" hostid="261" sizebytes="141286"></div><p>"We are confident that our new crew uniforms will rise to the heightened expectations, distinctly making a statement that defines the very best of Indian heritage and hospitality," Air India said in a press release. </p><p>The new uniforms were deployed with the launch of the new A350. Ground staff, engineers, and security personnel are also set to get new uniforms, which Air India said it will reveal in "due course."</p>

Air India is rebranding after years of decline. Here are the biggest changes, from updated uniforms to swanky new Airbus A350s.

I toured Air India's new Airbus A350 &mdash; which it hopes will compete with elite competitors like Emirates and Qatar. See inside.

I toured Air India's new A350 business class after flying its old 777 product for 13 hours. The difference is night and day. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Germany has received its last  VIP-equipped Airbus A350 plane, creating a uniform fleet.</li><li>The aircraft got a paint job and a swanky new interior, though details of the cabin are scarce.</li></ul><p>Boasting the country's national colors of black, red, and gold on the fuselage and wingtips, the German Air Force, or Luftwaffe, has received its third and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/germanys-new-air-force-one-airbus-a350-900-xwb-photos-2020-8">final fully-equipped governmental A350-900.</a></p><p>Inside the aircraft, which is named "Kurt Schumacher" after the German politician, is a new VIP cabin retrofitted by the aircraft service provider <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lufthansa-technik.com/en/handover-of-final-a350-government-aircraft-to-the-german-air-force-7191a9babfed10fd">Lufthansa Technik.</a></p><p>The jet is used for political and parliamentary transport, carrying top officials like Germany's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.</p><p>"Kurt Schumacher" was the first A350 built for the Luftwaffe, initially delivered in 2020.</p><div type="image" title="The A350 with black, red, and gold on wingtip." height="2756" width="4134" msid="110765526" hostid="261" sizebytes="269136"></div><p>Its Germany's third A350 aircraft fit with the swanky new cabin. The first two A350s complete with the VIP interior were sister planes "Konrad Adenauer" and "Theodor Heuss."</p><p>These aircraft were delivered factory-fresh in November 2022 and March 2023, respectively, with the new cabin already installed. The "Kurt Schumacher" A350 was sent back to Lufthansa Technik in early 2023 to get its retrofit.</p><p>"Only a few small accents in the interior, individual reminiscences of the respective namesakes, now distinguish "Adenauer," "Heuss," and "Schumacher" from each other," the company said.</p><p>Aside from the minor differences, Lufthansa Technik described the A350's new uniform fleet as having generous seating, an appropriate number of bathrooms, and a modern galley.</p><p>It represents a significant change from the interim cabin that was initially installed on the jet four years ago.</p><p>The "Kurt Schumacher" A350 once flew without a VIP cabin because, at the time, Germany was flying <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/germany-selling-vip-merkel-one-a340-2023-12">unreliable Airbus A340 government planes</a> riddled with maintenance problems and needed replacements quickly put into service.</p><div type="image" title="German government Airbus A340" height="1615" width="2500" msid="110765530" hostid="261" sizebytes="543144"></div><p>"In contrast to the [interim's] open cabin design, the various functional areas for political-parliamentary flight operations are now structurally separated from one another," Lufthansa Technik <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lufthansa-technik.com/en/handover-of-airbus-a350-konrad-adenauer-to-german-armed-forcesrelease-f6bda63779f2dd43">said</a> after the delivery of the first VIP-equipped A350 in 2022.</p><p>The three A350 replacements cost Germany $1.3 billion, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/32695-german-air-force-one-germany-receives-new-vip-airbus-a350">Aerotime Hub</a> reported. This included about $325 million for the cabins and about $312 million for missile defense systems.</p><p>A company spokesperson told Business Insider that, due to security reasons, interior shots of the aircraft have not been released to the public.</p><p>Given this is the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.acj.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2019-05-germany-becomes-first-government-customer-for-acj350">first</a> VIP A350 project for Lufthansa Technik, there are no prior fully-built cabin designs for reference. The company has a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lufthansa-technik.com/en/vip-aircraft">concept</a> for a corporate A350 that it released in 2016, which includes things like a bed, showers, and a spa.</p><div type="image" title="Rendering of Lufthansa Technik's VIP A350 cabin." height="381" width="600" msid="110765532" hostid="261" sizebytes="16312"></div><p>It's likely Germany's private fleet will have a similar grandiose design and aesthetic, but it will also have those specific governmental touches.</p><p>Other <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-the-countries-governments-flying-boeing-747-air-force-one-2022-9">countries' widebody governmental airplanes</a> can give an idea of what that might look like.</p><div type="image" title="Barack Obama speaks on the phone in a conference room on Air Force One." height="1000" width="1500" msid="110765533" hostid="261" sizebytes="97314"></div><p>For example, the US government fleet consists of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-the-countries-governments-flying-boeing-747-air-force-one-2022-9">two specially modified Boeing 747-200B quad-jets</a> to carry the president.</p><p>The "Flying Oval Office" has three levels, 4,000 square feet of floor space, dining and conference spaces, an executive suite, and an office for the president and his or her entourage.</p><div type="image" title="Barack Obama on Air Force One." height="533" width="799" msid="110765536" hostid="261" sizebytes="44320"></div><p>Separate living areas are available for senior staff, the Secret Service, and the media, among other guests.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-inside-mexicos-presidential-boeing-jet-rented-out-parties-weddings-2022-4">Mexico's former governmental Boeing 787</a> had similar luxuries, including a bedroom and dining and office spaces, as well as rows of business-class-like recliners.</p><div type="image" title="The private suite with a guard standing next to a king-sized bed onboard the former Mexican VIP Boeing 787." height="1333" width="2000" msid="110765531" hostid="261" sizebytes="158214"></div><p>The country sold the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-787-private-jet-mexico-sold-2023-5">"ostentatious" airliner for $92 million</a> last year because its president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, refused to use it.</p>

Germany received its third VIP Airbus A350 plane, which replaced the country's old fleet of unreliable A340s

<keyword id="6355725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-group" source="Orion">Tata group</keyword>'s <keyword id="7902688" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india-plans" source="Orion">Air India plans</keyword> to expand its fleet in a couple of year's time.<br /><br />The proposed new aluminium birds will be a mix of narrow and wide bodied from the two manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, media reports said.<br /><br />Currently, <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword>'s fleet is a mix of Boeing (777-200LR, 777-300ER and 787-800 Dreamliner) and Airbus (319, 320, 320Neo and 321) aircraft numbering 113 operating flights.<br /><br />It will be interesting to see how the Tata Group finances the fleet expansion.<br /><br />It is also said that Air India has asked its pilots if they want to get trained in <keyword id="14243855" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flying-a350" source="Orion">flying A350</keyword>, which means the airline plans to induct the same in its fleet for long haul flights.<br /><br />However, Air India officials were not available to comment.<br /><br />The Tata Group acquired Air India from the Indian government last year. The group already has Vistara and Air Asia under its fold.<br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/after-cooking-oil-prices-drop-soaps-noodles-and-detergents-might-follow-suit/articleshow/92336485.cms">Cooking oil prices drop - soaps, noodles and detergents might follow suit</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/indians-found-inner-peace-during-the-pandemic-but-now-they-seek-less-of-it/articleshow/92336707.cms">Indians found inner peace during the pandemic but now, they seek less of it</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/article/yoga-day-messages-and-quotes/articleshow/92339874.cms">Yoga Day 2022 Messages and Quotes</a><br />

Tata Group to expand the fleet of Air India in two years

<keyword id="19895282" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai" source="keywords">Mumbai</keyword>, Low-cost carrier <keyword id="19923231" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india-express" source="keywords">Air India Express</keyword> is looking to operate 40 per cent more flights next fiscal on the back of fleet expansion, sources said on Wednesday. At the same time, the airline will focus more on consolidating on the domestic routes and will not be adding many destinations, while the international network may see some marginal increase, said the sources aware of the development. <br /><br /> Air India Express currently operates 350 daily flights and has a fleet of 69 planes. <br /><br /> It has some 1,300 pilots, including 400 of <keyword id="20436831" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airasia-india" source="keywords">AirAsia India</keyword>, and another 400 on training. <br /><br /> Air India Express will commence flights to Nepal, Bangladesh and <keyword id="19931726" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lanka" source="keywords">Sri Lanka</keyword> during the forthcoming summer schedule, as per the sources. <br /><br /> They also said that Air India Express will complete acquisition of its 50 white tail <keyword id="19915275" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="boeing" source="keywords">Boeing</keyword> 737 Max plane order by December this year, of which it has already inducted 13-14 planes. <br /><br /> The sources also said the airline is expected to complete the merger of AirAsia India with it by the second quarter of the next fiscal. <br /><br /> Air India Express is expecting all of AirAsia India's fleet to come on its air operator permit by July-August this year when the merger gets completed. <br /><br /> As of now, it has three A320 neo planes of Airasia India fleet on its air operator permit.

You Searched For "a350 900 air india" and got 9 results

IndiGo places order for 30 wide-body A350-900 planes

PTI

I went on Air India's brand new Airbus A350 that will soon be flying to the US. I was impressed by the airline's transformation.

Pete Syme,Taylor Rains

You can get free Apple Airpods 4 and Apple Pencil with this limited-time deal in India, details here

Divyanshi Sharma

Air India is rebranding after years of decline. Here are the biggest changes, from updated uniforms to swanky new Airbus A350s.

Taylor Rains

I toured Air India's new Airbus A350 which it hopes will compete with elite competitors like Emirates and Qatar. See inside.

Taylor Rains

I toured Air India's new A350 business class after flying its old 777 product for 13 hours. The difference is night and day.

Taylor Rains

Germany received its third VIP Airbus A350 plane, which replaced the country's old fleet of unreliable A340s

Taylor Rains

Tata Group to expand the fleet of Air India in two years

IANS

Air India Express looking to operate 40% more flights next fiscal

PTI

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