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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 class="summary-list"><li>Wizz Air announced its first A321XLR route will be about seven hours between London and Saudi Arabia.</li><li>"You kind of suffer the pain, if you wish, for the economic benefits," said Wizz's CEO.</li></ul>As it introduces longer flights, ultra-low-cost carrier <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ryanair-easyjet-wizz-europes-budget-airlines-compared-2024-5">Wizz Air</a> isn't planning any upgrades to its no-frills offering — hoping passengers will "suffer the pain" for cheaper tickets.Wizz announced Tuesday that its first <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-a321xlr-will-be-a-game-changer-2023-7">Airbus A321XLR</a> route will be between London Gatwick and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, starting next March.The upcoming narrowbody jet has gained hype by opening up new possibilities for airlines with its increased range of 5,400 miles.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wizz-air-unlimited-flights-550-dollars-strings-attached-2024-8">Wizz</a> expects this to mean flights up to eight hours long — a two-hour increase from current capabilities with the A321neo.Wizz's London to Jeddah route would take around seven hours with prices starting at £134.99 ($177) — about one-third the price of British Airways.It's even cheaper going the opposite direction, starting at £89 ($116), because the UK's air passenger duty tax wouldn't apply.József Váradi, the Wizz CEO, told reporters at a London press conference that the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-a321-xlr-plane-launch-new-routes-cabins-iberia-american-2024-9">A321XLR</a> will have the same seats as the A321neo.That means no reclining or in-flight entertainment — typical features on budget airlines to reduce maintenance costs. Both jets will also have the same capacity of 239 seats."15, 20 years ago, I thought three hours would test passenger tolerance, and then we pushed it to six hours, and we are still fine," Váradi said."I just think that economics are so crucial to people."<div type="image" title="The cabin of a Wizz Air Airbus A320neo as viewed from the aisle looking forward" height="2016" width="4032" msid="113232834" hostid="261" sizebytes="412010"></div>He said most passengers "sacrifice some level of comfort" on widebody aircraft too, given that there are no lie-flat beds in economy class."You kind of suffer the pain, if you wish, for the economic benefits that you are deriving from the transaction," Váradi added.By contrast, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-spirit-southwest-jetblue-struggle-profit-scrambling-changes-tickets-seats-2024-8">budget carriers in the US have been introducing premium options</a> amid reduced profits. Spirit Airlines announced blocked-out middle seats similar to business class on European short-haul flights, while Southwest is ditching its open-seating policy.Wizz Air also announced flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi starting next June, and Váradi said the airline is working on routes to India, too.Due to competition from the likes of British Airways, Váradi ruled out transatlantic flights — something that Frontier Airlines had considered before canceling its plans for the XLR.

The first ultra-low-cost airline using the Airbus A321XLR hopes passengers will choose to 'suffer the pain' of no-frills 7-hour flights

Tata Group-owned <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword>, which placed a 250-aircraft order with <keyword id="6356166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airbus" source="Orion">Airbus</keyword> earlier this year, has rejigged the order, which will now have more number of A321neo <keyword id="6385716" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aircraft" source="Orion">aircraft</keyword>, according to sources. As part of the 250 aircraft order with Airbus, the airline was to acquire 210 narrowbody A320 family planes, comprising 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo and remaining 40 widebody A350s, consisting of six A350-900 and 34 A350-1000s. Air India has tweaked the order with Airbus and will now acquire 140 A321neo and 70 A320neo, while the order for 40 A350s has also been rejigged, the source said. As against the earlier order of six A350-900 and 34 A350-1000s, Air India has changed it to 20 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s, the source added. In response to a PTI query, Air India spokesperson said, "We regularly review our orderbook based on business requirements and opportunities, and exercise contractual flexibilities as appropriate". When reached out for comments, Airbus said, "It is up to our customers to disclose their strategy." Tata Group took control of loss-making Air India in January 2022. Earlier this year, Air India placed orders for 470 aircraft from Airbus and <keyword id="6357957" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="boeing" source="Orion">Boeing</keyword> at USD 70 billion (based on published list prices). Its Boeing aircraft order for 220 aircraft comprises 190 Boeing 737MAX narrowbody planes, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 777X.

Air India rejigs 250-aircraft Airbus order

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. In a release, the carrier said it has entered the "wide body space with an order for 30 firm Airbus A350-900 aircraft". 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. "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. Currently, IndiGo operates over 350 aircraft. In June last year, IndiGo placed the largest ever single aircraft order by any airline for 500 aircraft with Airbus. 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> <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> <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> <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>

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

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Airbus forecasts that it'll be able to double the size of its global fleet to 48,230 planes by 2043.</li><li>The demand comes from strong growth in Asia and the Middle East, per Airbus.</li></ul>As its competitor Boeing bleeds millions of dollars in the face of legal issues, Airbus has reported a much more optimistic future outlook.The aircraft manufacturer revised its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/market/global-market-forecast">20-year demand outlook</a> in an annual global market forecast, saying it expects to more than double its global fleet size in the next two decades.The current size is 24,260, per Airbus documents seen by Business Insider. Airbus forecasts that this number will rise to 48,230 by 2043, with 42,430 new deliveries expected until then."We see particularly strong growth in Asia and the Middle East, led particularly by India and China," Bob Lange, head of market analysis and forecasts at Airbus, told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airbus-upgrades-20-year-demand-forecast-led-by-wide-body-jets-2024-07-15/?taid=6694ca1fd418d500016f1cf8&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter">Reuters</a>.To be sure, Airbus' positive outlook for the future might be a bright spot in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/its-not-just-boeing-airlines-are-hemorrhaging-cash-too-2024-4">aviation industry</a>.Companies like Boeing, for instance, have been bleeding cash. In its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://s2.q4cdn.com/661678649/files/doc_financials/2024/q1/1Q24-Earnings-Presentation.pdf">first-quarter earnings report</a>, Boeing reported that it burned through $3.9 billion in cash. Boeing also posted a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/24/business/boeing-first-quarter-earnings.html">net loss of $355 million</a> in that quarter.Boeing has also agreed to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-to-plead-guilty-isnt-out-woods-yet-government-contracts-2024-7">plead guilty</a> to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and will cough up $243.6 million to resolve a US Justice Department investigation into two 737 Max fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.The department said Boeing violated a 2021 deferred-prosecution agreement, which stipulated that Boeing had to pay $2.5 billion — mostly to the victims' families — and agree to strengthen its safety and compliance program.The two crashes, which involved its Max 8 models, killed a combined 346 people.A representative for Airbus did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

As Boeing bleeds cash, Airbus predicts it'll double the size of its fleet worldwide in the next 20 years

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Airbus' A321XLR promises airlines new long-haul market options as it nears certification.</li><li>Boeing's absence at an upcoming international airshow means all eyes will be on Airbus' new plane.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-whistleblower-said-was-threatened-to-keep-quiet-about-safety-2024-4">Boeing's quality control problems</a> following the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout have forced it to scale back production and cut delivery targets for its 737 Max aircraft.To better focus on cleaning up its latest Max mess, the manufacturer is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-not-bringing-commercial-jets-to-farnborough-airshow-2024-6">not bringing any passenger planes to the Farnborough</a> International Airshow this year, one of the aviation industry's biggest and most-attended events.With nothing commercial to show from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-inside-boeings-first-ever-777x-aircraft-folding-wingtips-2022-8">Boeing, which usually has its 777X</a> and Max test jets on display, all eyes will be on European rival Airbus. Of particular interest is the planemaker's new, soon-to-be-certified single-aisle aircraft, the Airbus A321XLR.Airbus has secured over 550 orders for the highly-anticipated "Xtra Long Range" model from American Airlines, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/frontier-airlines-a321neo-review-hard-seats-2023-10">Frontier Airlines</a>, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, Spain's Iberia, India's IndiGo, Qantas, Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia X, Chile-based budget carrier Sky Airline, Czech Airlines, and others.The XLR plane is the longest-ranged option in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-lowers-targets-after-benefiting-from-boeing-struggles-2024-6">A321neo family</a>, which has outsold Boeing's 737 since 2019, when two fatal crashes grounded the plane's Max variants. According to Airbus, the XLR is uniquely equipped for long-haul flying, thanks to an extra rear center fuel tank that helps the narrowbody fly up to 5,400 miles (11 hours) nonstop.It also boasts a 30% reduced fuel burn compared to previous-generation competing aircraft, with half the trip cost of dual-aisle planes, according to Airbus.The XLR's enhanced range and economics make it a versatile option for airlines wanting to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-evolution-of-transatlantic-flying-in-photos-2021-10">capitalize on niche money-making long-haul markets</a> but without the costs or capacity of a widebody plane.Historically, Boeing's 757 was the prime transatlantic narrowbody option, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-jetblues-newest-plane-taking-flyers-to-london-photos-details-2021-7">airlines like JetBlue Airways</a> and Air Canada have since shifted to the more efficient A321neoLR and Max, respectively, between the East Coast and Europe.<div type="image" title="JetBlue A321neo at the Paris Air Show in June 2023, view looking forward with TVs showing." height="2918" width="3891" msid="111413576" hostid="261" sizebytes="482256"></div>The XLR's design builds on this growing long-haul trend and is expected to open new city pairs that would otherwise require a layover or wouldn't financially make sense to fly.Fortunately, airlines and customers won't have to wait much longer.In May, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2024-05-preparing-for-the-a321xlrs-entry-into-service">Airbus</a> announced that the XLR was in the final stages of certification, noting heavy paperwork has prolonged the process beyond the initially expected June timeline.Still, Unlike Boeing's Max 7 and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-boeing-max-10-order-see-inside-737-max-jet-2022-7">Max 10 planes</a> — which are sitting in certification limbo — Airbus expects the XLR to enter service as soon as November.<h2 id="3e1a3e3d-4f06-4794-85fa-08c3280cbbaf">Airbus' new XLR jet will open route options that are otherwise difficult</h2>Spanish national carrier <a target="_blank" href="https://grupo.iberia.com/pressrelease/details/19757">Iberia</a> is the launch customer for the XLR and is selling tickets for the first-ever passenger flight from Madrid to Boston on November 14, according to its website.Flights to Washington Dulles will follow on January 15. The XLR will replace the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-order-for-worst-selling-plane-a330-800neo-2023-12">Airbus 330 widebody</a> Iberia is presently flying to Boston, while the Dulles route will be a new offering.According to Iberia, its new XLR planes will feature 182 seats across economy and business cabins, though the plane can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://aircraft.airbus.com/en/aircraft/a320/a321xlr">carry</a> up to 220 people in two classes.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-airlines-in-the-world-business-class-seats-skytrax-survey-2024-6">premium seating offers lie-flat beds</a> typical to what customers find on long-haul widebody flights, and is likely to be the norm on long-haul XLRs.JetBlue plans to install its Mint business class, for example, while <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-american-airlines-new-business-class-flagship-suite-for-the-a321xlr-787-2022-9">American plans to install its XLRs with new Flagship suites</a>.<div type="image" title="American's new Flagship Suite on its A321XLR, complete with sliding doors." height="1563" width="2084" msid="111413574" hostid="261" sizebytes="197360"></div>In <a target="_blank" href="https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/american-eyes-multi-uses-airbus-xlr-leverages-ba-partnership">March</a>, American's managing director of global network planning, Jason Reisinger, said the XLR is favorable because it enables the airline to serve "routes that cannot support a 787 but where we still have a nice onboard product."He <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-airbus-new-game-changing-a321xlr-aircraft-launching-2024-2023-7">suggested routes like Raleigh, North Carolina</a>, direct to London — meaning passengers wouldn't have to stop in the carrier's Charlotte or New York hubs along the way.Meanwhile, United's EVP and CCO, Andrew Nocella, said during a 2019 order announcement that the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-orders-airbus-a321xlr-replace-757-boeing-nma-2019-12">XLR would be a good replacement for the "older, less-efficient aircraft</a> currently operating between some of the most vital cities in our intercontinental network."IndiGo and Frontier's XLR orders suggest the plane fits into both mainline and budget models.IndiGo's former CCO Willy Boulte said in the summer of 2021 that the XLR would fill the gaps in flying between Indian cities and Europe and Asia, pointing to options like Beijing, Seoul, and Amsterdam.Frontier CEO Barry Biffle has suggested that the XLR may allow Frontier to ditch its mostly domestic presence to serve more cities in South America, and launch new services to Hawaii and Europe.Airbus said the XLR could also be used on already popular routes that may sometimes benefit from a lower-capacity option."Even well-established city pairs such as London-Miami or Sydney-Kuala Lumpur will benefit from the year-round sweet spot the XLR offers airlines," Airbus marketing specialist Ludek Jando <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2023-09-airbus-a321xlr-the-network-opener-that-puts-distant-cities-within-reach">said</a> in September 2023.

Boeing rival Airbus is set to launch its game-changing A321XLR plane this year. Here's where it's expected to fly.

<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>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.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>The downfall started in 1953 when the Indian government took over, stripping control away from the Tata Group.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. "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?'"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>.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.<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>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.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>.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."<div type="image" title="The gold Vista logo on a purple inflight menu." height="2323" width="3097" msid="108073595" hostid="261" sizebytes="677462"></div>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."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. <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>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. 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.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.<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>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.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.<div type="image" title="Qatar Q Suite" height="682" width="1024" msid="108073603" hostid="261" sizebytes="57194"></div>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>.<div type="image" title="Air India economy cabin." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073606" hostid="261" sizebytes="545256"></div>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.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.<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>"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."<h2>Flight attendants and pilots are getting a makeover</h2>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>.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.Pilots will sport a black suit with the Vista logo, "signifying professionalism, timelessness, and the gravitas of the flying profession."<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>"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. 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."

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.

<keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> will hire more than 1,000 pilots, including captains and trainers, as the <keyword id="8555" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata" source="Orion">Tata</keyword> Group-owned airline expands its fleet and network. The airline, which currently has more than 1,800 pilots, has placed orders for 470 aircraft with <keyword id="6357957" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boeing" source="Orion">Boeing</keyword> and <keyword id="6356166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbus" source="Orion">Airbus</keyword>, including for wide-body planes. The latest Airbus firm order comprises 210 A320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s. The carrier, which was taken over by the Tata Group in January last year, is hiring more than 1,000 pilots, according to an advertisement on Thursday. "We are offering multiple opportunities and accelerated growth across our A320, B777, B787 and B737 fleet for captains and first officers, as well as trainers," it said, adding that more than 500 aircraft are joining its fleet. Meanwhile, pilots of Air India have raised concerns about the airline's latest decision to revamp their salary structure and service conditions. On April 17, Air India rolled out a revamped compensation structure for its pilots and cabin crew, which has since been rejected by the two pilot unions - Indian Commercial Pilots Association (<keyword id="12415576" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICPA" source="Orion">ICPA</keyword>) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) - on grounds that the airline, in alleged violation of labour practices, did not consult them before finalising the new contracts. Tata Group has four airlines - Air India, Air India Express, AIX Connect and Vistara, which is a joint venture with Singapore Airlines. The group is in the process of merging Air India Express and AIX Connect as well as Vistara with Air India. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/pepsi-onboards-samantha-ruth-prabhu-as-its-brand-ambassador/articleshow/99808470.cms">Pepsi onboards Samantha Ruth Prabhu as its brand ambassador</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/lt-technology-services-shares-rally-nearly-7-post-q4-earnings/articleshow/99807496.cms">L&amp;T Technology Services shares rally nearly 7% post Q4 earnings</a>

Air India to hire more than 1,000 pilots including captains and trainers

Mumbai, Mar 21 (PTI) US aircraft maker <keyword id="6357957" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="boeing" source="Orion">Boeing</keyword> has said India may require 31,000 pilots and some 26,000 mechanics over the next 20 years amid the growing order book of the aircraft original equipment manufacturers. Speaking on the sidelines of a CII event here, <keyword id="189173" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="boeing-india" source="Orion">Boeing India</keyword> President <keyword id="7317809" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="salil-gupte" source="Orion">Salil Gupte</keyword> also said the South Asian region is expected to remain the fastest growing market globally over the next 20 years. "India is going to need over 31,000 pilots and 26,000 mechanics over the next 20 years to take care of the aircraft coming in. This is as important a part of the Indian growth story as the aircraft (orders)," Gupte told reporters. He said considering India's air traffic growth, a lot of focus has to be on making infrastructure robust, both hard infrastructure which includes airports as well as critical infrastructure, which includes pilots, among others. It may be mentioned here that Tata Group-owned <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> had last month announced placing orders for a total of 470 planes with both Boeing and European aviation major <keyword id="6356166" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="airbus" source="Orion">Airbus</keyword>. Last September, Boeing had projected India's air traffic growth at around 7 per cent through 2040. He also said that after coming out of the pandemic, the recovery in air travel demand has stunned the world and Boeing does not see any impact of the financial crisis on air travel growth. It is "too early to know what the consequences of the bank situation of the US and Europe and others are going to be. At this stage, we really see no slowdown in the demand for aviation," Gupte added. There is a huge market for narrow body aircraft for Boeing in India, he said and added that, " (as much as) 90 per cent of the market over the next 20 years is going to be a narrow body market and we expect we will be successful in competing for those every single campaign (aircraft order)." Gupte also emphasized that Boeing has a leadership position in the wide- body (twin aisle) aircraft segment globally and it will remain so in all the markets, including India.

India may require 31,000 pilots in next 20 years: Boeing

<keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> will require more than 6,500 pilots to operate 470 aircraft that are to be supplied by <keyword id="6356166" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="airbus" source="Orion">Airbus</keyword> and <keyword id="6357957" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="boeing" source="Orion">Boeing</keyword> in the coming years, according to industry sources. Seeking to expand its fleet as well as operations, the airline has placed orders for acquiring a total of 840 aircraft that includes an option to buy 370 planes. This is one of the largest aircraft orders by any airline. Currently, Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> has around 1,600 pilots to operate its 113 aircraft fleet and in recent times, there have been instances of ultra-long-haul flights getting cancelled or delayed due to a shortage of crew. The airline's two subsidiaries -- <keyword id="6378232" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="air-india-express" source="Orion">Air India Express</keyword> and <keyword id="1583080" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="airasia-india" source="Orion">AirAsia India</keyword> -- together have around 850 pilots for flying their 54 planes while the joint venture Vistara has more than 600 pilots. The latter has a fleet of 53 aircraft, one of the sources told PTI. Air India, Air India Express, Vistara and AirAsia India together have a little over 3,000 pilots to operate the combined fleet of 220 aircraft. The latest Airbus firm order comprises 210 A320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s. "Air India is taking these 40 A350 majorly for its ultra-long-haul routes or flights which last over 16 hours. The airline will require 30 pilots -- 15 commanders and 15 first officers -- per aircraft, which means some 1,200 pilots for A350s alone," the source in the know said. According to the source, 26 pilots are required for one Boeing 777. If the airline inducts 10 such planes, it will require 260 pilots while 20 Boeing 787 will require some 400 pilots considering that each such aircraft needs 20 pilots -- 10 commanders and 10 first officers. Taken together, the induction of 30 wide-body Boeing planes will require a total of 660 pilots, the sources said. On average, each narrow-body plane, whether it is the Airbus A320 family or Boeing 737 Max, requires 12 pilots, implying that 400 such planes in the fleet will require not less than 4,800 pilots for their operations. On Thursday, Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Agarwal in a Linkedin post said "the order comprises 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade". According to Air India's former Commercial Director Pankaj Shrivastava, enough opportunities have to be created for the <keyword id="646408" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="commercial-pilots-licence" source="Orion">Commercial Pilots Licence</keyword> (CPL) holders to get them to type rating. Type ratings are a particular training that makes a pilot qualify to operate a particular type of aircraft. "Air India would definitely have some plan in place. They would not be buying these planes to put them on the ground," he said. These aircraft are not going to be inducted tomorrow but over a period of time. During that period, Shrivastava said that he was confident that Boeing and Airbus along with Air India will be able to create a large enough pool of pilots by having in place the required number of flight simulators and pilots training. Air India earlier this year announced its plans to set up a training academy, which is a new initiative for the <keyword id="6355725" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tata-group" source="Orion">Tata Group</keyword>. The academy, being headed by AirAsia India's former CEO Sunil Bhaskaran, will rival the biggest and the best anywhere in the world, Air India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson had said. "Over the coming years, the ambitious new Air India and aviation industry generally will require thousands of home-grown pilots, engineers, cabin crew, airport managers and other function specialists. As India's flagship airline, we have the need and duty to develop this talent," he had said earlier. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/m-night-shyamalan-announces-next-film-signs-multi-year-deal-with-warner-bros/articleshow/98003388.cms">M. Night Shyamalan announces next film, signs multi-year deal with Warner Bros</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/bcci-chief-selector-chetan-sharma-resigns-as-per-sources/articleshow/98003169.cms">BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma resigns, as per sources</a>

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

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