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The first ever <keyword id="19925088" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airbus-a-350-900" source="Orion">Airbus A 350-900</keyword> <keyword id="6385716" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aircraft" source="Orion">aircraft</keyword>, under the <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> flag, landed at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport on Saturday. The aircraft has been registered as VT-JRA, which arrived in Delhi at 1:46 p.m. from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. Air India's Senior Commander Captain Monika Batra Vaidya, who is among the first few <keyword id="6357805" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian" source="Orion">Indian</keyword> pilots to be trained on A350, was on board as an observer. Air India leads the way in catalysing the renaissance of Indian <keyword id="31907" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aviation" source="Orion">aviation</keyword>, inducting the first new <keyword id="19925089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="widebody-fleet-type" source="Orion">widebody fleet type</keyword> in India in more than a decade, and thus, becoming the first Indian airline to fly the A350. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, said: "This moment marks a red-letter day for all of us at Air India. The A350 is not just metal and engines; it's the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airline's continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks. "It is also, in many ways, a declaration of Indian aviation's resurgence on the world stage. As a symbol of the new age of flying, the A350 promises a world-class, long-haul travel experience on our non-stop routes, providing an unparallelled level of comfort." "Its excellent flight economics and state- of-the-art technology underscore our dedication to commercially successful operations and to achieving our sustainability goals," Wilson added. Air India's A350 will enter commercial service in January 2024, initially operating domestically for crew familiarisation, followed by longer-haul flying to destinations across continents. The schedule of commercial operations with the A350 will be announced in the coming weeks. Air India's A350-900 aircraft come in a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace, 28 private Business Class suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and multiple other differentiating features, and 264 spacious Economy Class seats. All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens to provide superior flying experience. The aircraft is first of Air India's 20 Airbus A350-900 on order, with five more scheduled for deliveries through March 2024.

Air India receives India's first Airbus A350 aircraft

<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.

<keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> on Friday announced the appointment of <keyword id="19285871" type="General" weightage="70" keywordseo="klaus-goersch" source="Orion">Klaus Goersch</keyword> as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, as well as various other senior level appointments. In the newly-created position at the airline, Goersch will oversee flight operations, engineering, ground operations, Integrated Operations Control and cabin crew functions. Air India said incumbent chief of operations R S Sandhu will transition to an advisory role. In a release, Air India said Sandhu's role includes focus on the harmonisation of the four Tata airlines' operating procedures, the Airbus A350 entry-into-service programme and assisting the team establishing the carrier's new training academy. A licensed B777/787 pilot, he had served in similar positions in both British Airways and Air Canada. Air India has also announced the appointment of Manish Uppal, who transitioned from <keyword id="1583080" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AirAsia-India" source="Orion">AirAsia India</keyword> a few months ago, as Senior Vice President for flight operations. Besides, Henry Donohoe's corporate safety, security and quality role will be expanded to include emergency response. His title will be changed to Senior Vice President for safety, security and quality. According to the release, the inflight product and service design functions being headed by Sandeep Verma will move to Rajesh Dogra's Customer Experience portfolio so that the latter has oversight of all customer interfaces. Pankaj Handa will lead ground operations, Choorah Singh will be Divisional Vice President Integrated Operations Control Centre and JuLi Ng will be Divisional Vice President for cabin crew. Goersch, Dogra and Donohoe will report directly to Air India Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson. The existing management committee members Nipun Aggarwal, Satya Ramaswamy, Suresh Dutt Tripathi and Vinod Hejmadi, whose roles remain unchanged, will report to Wilson, it said. Handa, Singh and Ng will report to Goersch, as will Uppal and Sisira Kanta Dash, senior vice president engineering. "These changes have been made with a view to managing succession, streamlining the organisation, optimising talent from within the Tata airline group and positioning it strongly for future growth and success," Wilson said. About Goersch, Air India Chief said he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that is valuable to the ongoing transformation at the airline. "At Air India, we remain committed to building top leadership as we continue to invest in all the resources that are required to take the airline to the upper echelons of global aviation," Wilson said. Tata Group, which took control of loss-making Air India in January last year, is in the process of consolidating its airline business. As part of the consolidation, AirAsia India (now AIX Connect) is in the process of getting merged with Air India Express, while Vistara will be merged with Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines.

Air India announces senior level appointments — Klaus Goersch brought in as chief operations officer

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Air India CEO Campbell Wilson apologized for its handling of a mid-air urination incident. </li><li>A "heavily inebriated" man in business class had been accused of urinating on a woman in November.</li></ul>The CEO of Air India has issued an apology for the airline's handling of a mid-air urination incident and said it was reviewing its policy around serving alcohol on flights. In a <a href="https://twitter.com/airindiain/status/1611632948998180864?s=20&amp;t=Z6CygrVqUgI0MgT_f29aoA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement posted</a> on the airline's Twitter account, Campbell Wilson said: "Air India is deeply concerned about the in-flight instances where customers have suffered due to the condemnable acts of their co-passengers on our aircraft. We regret and are pained about these experiences."He added: "Air India acknowledges that it could have handled these matters better, both in the air and on the ground and is committed to taking action."Following the incident, four cabin crew and one pilot have been taken off the rota while investigations continued. <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drunk-man-urinates-on-senior-citizen-woman-co-passenger-on-air-india-flight/article66336781.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hindu reported</a> on Wednesday that a "heavily inebriated" man in business class had urinated on a woman on an Air India flight from New York to Delhi on November 26.Indian media reported that the employee lived in Mumbai and was a vice president at Wells Fargo. The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wells-fargo-fired-employee-urinated-female-passenger-air-india-flight-2023-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US bank said in a statement on Friday</a> that the employee had been fired, but did not comment on his identity.Wilson said the airline was taking steps to prevent future such incidents, including a review of its policy on serving alcohol and a better internal communication system for crew to lodge reports before landing.The CEO also said that the victim had been receiving "ongoing assistance" from the airline after it received the complaint on November 27. Her tickets were refunded on December 2, and he had met with her and her family on four occasions. Following one of their meetings, the victim asked the airline to file a police report, which it did on December 28.The man has been banned from flying on Air India for 30 days, according to Wilson's statement."Air India and its staff will continue to provide full cooperation to the affected passenger, and regulators and law enforcement authorities as they investigate these cases," he added.Air India didn't immediately respond to a request for further comment from Insider.

Air India CEO apologizes for mid-air urination incident and says it's reviewing the in-flight alcohol policy

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Air India pilot spent over an hour in the cockpit with a "female friend" on a flight to Dubai in February.</li><li>According to a complaint reported by Indian media, he asked cabin crew to serve her food and alcohol.</li></ul>Air India had to remind its pilots to keep cockpits "sterile" after being rebuked by regulators when a pilot let a friend onto the flight deck, the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-directs-pilots-to-maintain-sterile-cockpit-following-safety-violation-by-pilot-entertaining-female-friend-during-flight-101683052877844.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hindustan Times</a> reported.The pilot from the national airline – which was state-owned until 2021 – spent over an hour in the cockpit with the woman on a Delhi to Dubai flight, according to a complaint seen by the newspaper.The captain also asked for the cockpit to "appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as though he was preparing his living room for a lady friend," aviation news site <a href="https://simpleflying.com/air-india-sterile-cockpit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SimpleFlying</a> reported.A cabin crew member filed the complaint with Air India four days after the February 27 incident, but the country's aviation watchdog wasn't involved until April 21. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/air-india-pilot-in-dock-for-inviting-woman-friend-to-cockpit-on-dubai-delhi-flight/articleshow/99678356.cms?from=mdr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to the Times of India,</a> the complaint also said that the pilot asked the crew member to bring his friend "drinks and snacks" and "serve her in the cockpit.""I told him, 'Captain, I am not comfortable serving alcohol in the cockpit'," the complaint adds, saying that the pilot then became "snappy and rude" toward other the crew member.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation then issued notices to Air India CEO, Campbell Wilson, and its head of safety, for taking too long to report it, per the HT. It also took the whole crew off the flight roster pending investigation.On Monday, Air India warned all its pilots — numbering over 1,800 per the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-hire-more-than-1000-pilots/articleshow/99809550.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Times</a> — reminding them of the sterile cockpit rule. It says that any non-essential activities are forbidden in the cockpit during the critical phases of flight, meaning when the plane is below 10,000 ft. "Recent incidents have highlighted that there have been instances of a lapse in maintaining a sterile cockpit, which resulted in avoidable errors posing flight safety hazards," Air India said, per the Hindustan Times.The sterile cockpit rule was first adopted by the US's Federal Aviation Administration in 1981, after accidents like <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-colbert-talks-tragic-plane-crash-on-howard-stern-show-2015-8">Eastern Air Lines Flight 212</a> were attributed to unnecessary conversation between pilots.A spokesperson for Air India told Insider it is conducting an internal investigation into the incident alongside the regulator's independent inquiry. "The pilot in command of the flight has been chargesheeted following an internal inquiry by Air India and the crew is off-rostered as instructed by DGCA," they added.

An airline had to remind its pilots to keep cockpits 'sterile' after one invited a friend onto the flight deck and asked crew to serve her food and alcohol, reports say

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> on Friday said that '<keyword id="6247825" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="pariksha-pe-charcha" source="Orion">Pariksha Pe Charcha</keyword>' is his exam too and crores of students in the country are taking his test. "'Pariksha Pe Charcha' is my exam too and crores of students of the country are taking my test...I enjoy giving this test," said <keyword id="2238662" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="pm-modi" source="Orion">PM Modi</keyword> while interacting with students, teachers, and parents during the 6th edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' 2023 in <keyword id="66" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="Orion">Delhi</keyword>. Citing the expectations parents have from their children, PM Modi said that it is natural for families to expect from their children, but if it is just for the sake of maintaining '<keyword id="5011813" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="social-status" source="Orion">Social Status</keyword>', it becomes dangerous. "If a family's expectation from its children is due to societal pressure then it's a problem...We are in politics where huge pressure is created for victory. You must match expectations with ability. You must always stay focused," said PM Modi. He further urged the children not to worry but to strive to give their best along with being stress-free and jubilant during the days of their examination. "If you do better, there's probable pressure from your surroundings to do even more better. No one is spared from this. Just like you, even if we have to suffer this in our political lives; the excellent results of elections are always expected to be 'more excellent'. So, worry not; just strive to give your best along with being stress-free and jubilant," said PM Modi. Addressing the time management issue, PM Modi asked the students to make such a slab that first gives time to the subject which one likes less, and then the rest of the time should be given to the most liked subject. "Not only for exams, but we should also be aware of time management at every stage of our life. You make such a slab that first give time to the subject which you like less... after that give time to the subject which you like," he said. "Have you ever observed your mother's time management skills? A mother never feels burdened by the immense work she does. If you observe your mother, then you will understand how to manage your time well," said PM Modi to students. He further urged parents not to pressure their children. But at the same time, students should also not underestimate their capabilities "Don't remain under the pressure of the Pressure! Think, Analyse, Act, and then give your best to achieve what you aspire for," said PM Modi. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/us-economy-expands-2-9-per-cent-in-december-quarter/articleshow/97364584.cms">US economy expands 2.9 per cent in December quarter</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/air-indias-progress-has-been-nothing-short-of-stunning-ceo-campbell-wilson/articleshow/97364472.cms">Air India's progress has been 'nothing short of stunning': CEO Campbell Wilson</a>

Have you ever observed your mother's time management skills?: Modi on Pariksha Pe Charcha

Flag carrier <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> has announced plans to refurbish its entire legacy of widebody fleet, comprising 27 Boeing B787-8 and 13 B777 aircraft, committing over USD 400 million for the project. According to a company statement, this <keyword id="1299892" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="refurbishment" source="Orion">refurbishment</keyword> will see a complete overhaul of existing cabin interiors, including the addition of latest seats and best inflight entertainment across all classes. It will also see the introduction of a premium economy cabin on both fleets. The first-class cabin will also be retained on the 777s. Air India has engaged leading London-based product design companies -- JPA Design and Trendworks -- to assist with the cabin interior design refurbishment programme. According to the company, the collaboration brings together two experts in the fields of aviation and interiors that have produced designs for major brands including Taj Hotels, The Orient Express and Herman Miller International. With this significant investment, Air India said it was committed to providing its passengers with a comfortable, modern, and technologically advanced cabin to facilitate a travel experience that is comparable with the best airlines in the world. The complete interior refurbishment entails significant regulatory and engineering preparation, which commenced earlier this year. This lengthy but necessary process is expected to lead to the first aircraft entering service in mid-2024, according to the national carrier. Commenting on the widebody cabin refurbishment programme, Campbell Wilson, Managing Director (MD) &amp; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Air India, said, "Under our Vihaan.AI transformation program, Air India has committed to attaining the highest standards of product and service befitting of a world-class airline. We know that, at present, the cabin product on our 40 legacy widebody aircraft falls short of this standard." He said although the project commenced some months ago, the company is delighted to now publicly announce this significant investment in a complete interior refit, and it is confident that, when revealed, the new interiors will delight customers and show Air India in a new light. "We are working closely with partners to accelerate the refit process as fast as possible and, in the meantime, leasing in at least 11 new widebody aircraft with brand new interiors to improve our offering at the earliest opportunity," he added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/iaf-boosts-su-30-aircrafts-capabilities-with-new-over-250km-strike-range-missile/articleshow/96056520.cms" style="">IAF boosts Su-30 aircrafts' capabilities with new over 250km strike range missile</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/dysons-futuristic-air-purifying-noise-canceling-headphones-are-ready-to-hit-the-market-from-january-2023/articleshow/96081759.cms">Dyson’s futuristic air-purifying, noise-canceling headphones are ready to hit the market from January 2023</a>

Air India to spend over $400 mn to fully refurbish wide-body aircraft cabin interiors

<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>

Air India will require more than 6,500 pilots for 470 planes

<keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword>'s handling of an incident in which an inebriated male flier allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger suggests an urgent need for stricter rules to deal with <keyword id="128966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="unruly-passengers" source="Orion">unruly passengers</keyword>, according to legal and aviation experts. Instances of inappropriate conduct on <keyword id="6367662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flights" source="Orion">flights</keyword> have gone up in the recent past because airlines try to cover up such incidents due to their commercial interests, the experts said. According to police, the male passenger, Shankar Mishra, allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger in her 70s in the business class of the Air India flight from New York to Delhi on November 26 last year. Delhi Police registered an FIR against him on January 4 on a complaint given by the woman to Air India and arrested him from Bengaluru on Saturday. To prevent such incidents in future, the experts said, the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) of 2017 for handling of unruly passengers should be amended. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) framed the rules in 2017 after the then Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad assaulted an Air India staff member. Under these rules, unruly behaviour by a passenger onboard a flight is a punishable offence. Supreme Court lawyer Ujjawal Anand Sharma said lodging an FIR in all cases of unruly behaviour by passengers onboard flights should be made compulsory under CAR, 2017. "I think there is a need to amend it (CAR, 2017) and make it compulsory to lodge an FIR in all cases of unruly behaviour onboard (flights) irrespective of the level of seriousness (of the offence)," said Sharma, who had represented stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in the alleged unruly behaviour case in the Delhi High Court. Sharma, who is also a Partner at Lawmen &amp; White law firm, said, "It should be made part of the SoP (standard operating procedure) to inform the local police after the aircraft lands. Also, I believe that instead of an internal committee of an airline, there should be an independent committee under the DGCA which should be informed about every case of unruly behaviour." This will also help airlines avoid allegations of hushing up the matter. According to CAR, 2017, the captain and the crew of a flight are supposed to inform the airline about a passenger's unruly behaviour once the aircraft lands at its destination airport. The airline will present the case before its internal committee which comprises a retired district session judge and two independent members. "Pending decision of the Internal Committee, the concerned airline may ban such unruly passenger from flying, but such period may not exceed a period of 30 days," the rules state. According to the rules, "The Internal Committee shall give the final decision in 30 days by giving the reasons in writing. The decision of the Internal Committee shall be binding on the airline concerned. In case the Internal Committee fails to take a decision in 30 days, the passenger will be free to fly." CAR, 2017 grades offences into three categories and once the internal committee decides the level of offence and imposes a ban on the passenger, the decision has to be communicated to the DGCA/other airlines and the person should be put on the no-fly list. Such a passenger can be banned for a minimum of three months in case of a level 1 offence and a maximum of two years for a level 3 offence. The rules necessitate lodging an FIR only in extreme cases of aggressive behaviour by a passenger which may cause the aircraft to make an emergency landing. Nishant Kr. Srivastava, a criminal lawyer and Founder of Actus Legal Associates &amp; Advocates, said an unruly passenger should be barred from flying with any airline till the inquiry is pending. "The present norms say that an unruly passenger will be banned from flying for 30 days till the Internal Committee of that particular airline decides his/her case. Meanwhile, he can fly with other airlines. It should be made more deterrent by banning him from flying with any airline," he said. Mohit Chand Mathur, a senior advocate in the Delhi High Court, underlined the need for timely implementation of the existing legal provisions to avoid a repeat of such incidents. On January 5, the DGCA pulled up the Tata Group-owned Air India, saying prima facie it emerges that provisions related to handling of unruly passengers were not complied with. It said Air India's conduct appeared to be "unprofessional". A US-based doctor who was seated next to the accused spoke out about the November 26 incident, alleging the flight crew showed "no compassion" and failed in their responsibility on several counts as they made the woman talk to the man after his "indecent exposure" and she was made to go back to her soiled seat. Aviation professionals also stressed the need for stricter punishment to bring down instances of unruly behaviour by passengers. "It is the responsibility of the government and the industry to impose and implement strict rules against such offenders," said Sharad Kumar, director, Chennai Airport. Crew members should be better trained to handle such situations, he said. "The male passenger (who urinated on his co-passenger on the Air India flight) should be banned across airports. He should not be allowed to enter any airport for at least a year," said industry expert R Ramkumar. Air India has issued show cause notices to four cabin crew and one pilot of its New York-Delhi flight and de-rostered them pending investigation. The airline's CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said on Sunday that "we fell short of addressing this situation the way we should have". He said the airline will "review and repair every process to prevent or address any incidents of such unruly nature". SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/fugitive-diamantaire-nirav-modis-property-price-slashed-as-it-remains-unsold-will-go-for-re-auction-in-feb/articleshow/96849116.cms">Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's property price slashed as it remains unsold, will go for re-auction in Feb</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/union-home-secretary-chairs-meeting-on-airport-security/articleshow/96851968.cms">Union Home Secretary chairs meeting on airport security</a>

Air India urination: Experts seek harsher punishments for unruly behaviour on flights

<ul><li>Tata Group has interests in four airlines - Air India, Air India Express, AirAsia India and Vistara. </li><li>It is merging low cost airlines Air India Express and AirAsia India; and Vistara with Air India. </li><li>While Air India has been improving its operational performance, it’s in the middle of a turnaround and its CEO says they will have to hit singles with an occasional fours and sixes. </li><li>Vistara and AirAsia India are yet to turn profitable. </li></ul>It’s been less than a decade since the Tatas re-entered the aviation sector – via joint ventures – growing both organically and inorganically. With its $2.4 billion acquisition of government-owned Air India, Tatas have earned the rare distinction of being a part of four airline ventures – Vistara, AirAsia India, Air India and Air India Express. Now, it’s bringing its interests together – by merging low-cost carriers AirAsia with Air India’s low-cost subsidiary Air India Express. It’s also moving towards merging its other two full-service airlines – Vistara with Air India. Between Tata-owned airlines and the largest carrier, IndiGo – the Indian airline industry is set for a duopoly, experts say. “The industry is headed towards a duopolistic structure with Air India and IndiGo making up a dominant 80% of the market,” said an Edelweiss report. IndiGo had a market share of 57.7% as of August 2022 in domestic traffic. The Tata group, on the other hand, carries over a quarter of India’s aviation passengers with Air India and Vistara having a 9.7% share each, and AirAsia’s 5.8% share. This ‘structural command’ is good for both these groups, which will give them better pricing power – that’s much needed as the sector faces headwinds from hike in aviation turbine fuel prices. “The anticipated duopoly would surely bring pricing discipline among large carriers and that should improve their financial performance,” Manvi Hooda, practice lead at CAPA India, said in an Edelweiss report. Tata’s airline interests <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Airline </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tata’s stake </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Other owners </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Vistara </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">51% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">49% held by Singapore Airlines </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">AirAsia India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Air India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% stake </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Air India Express </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">100% stake (Air India’s subsidiary) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> </td></tr></tbody></table> Source: Press releases, reports Air India on a ‘growth’ path IndiGo’s direct competitor - Air India – has been competing with the airline in terms of a key metric – on-time performance (OTP). OTP has always been IndiGo’s USP and since June, Air India – which has been an outlier – has raced ahead of it. As of September, 87% of Air India’s flights have been on time as compared to 84% of IndiGo’s flights, as per <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-indigo-in-a-battle-of-on-time-performance/articleshow/95214432.cms">an Economic Times</a> report. Air India’s new CEO Campbell Wilson who has WAS brought in to turn around the formerly debt-ridden state-owned carrier said that its improved performance is an effect of investment in IT systems and strict monitoring of turnaround times. It is also showing an improvement in its passenger load factors or PLFs. Air India was also one of two airlines that has shown a 2.5% improvement in PLF to 73.6% in August as compared to July. Its group airlines – Vistara and AirAsia too held on to their PLFs at 84.3% and 75%, respectively. The sector is poised to take off The Indian aviation sector, like most others, went through a dry phase during lockdowns and one of the rare such markets which has survived without an airline going under. Now, its recovery is one of the fastest in the world and is looking at a rapid growth in volumes. “Industry volumes, although still slightly lower than pre-Covid peak, are recovering at a rapid pace. In FY23, we forecast domestic industry volume growth of over 50%. The demand environment for air travel in India is very strong with economic rebound post-Covid, resurgence in corporate travel and normalization of international tourist arrivals,” said a report by IIFL. This sentiment is also shared by <keyword id="6368386" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singapore-airlines" source="Orion">Singapore Airlines</keyword>, which owns 49% in Vistara. Singapore Airlines’ CEO Goh Choon Phong said in<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/singapore-airlines-eyes-overseas-hub-highlights-india-as-key-growth-area-vistara-7946867/"> an interview with Bloomberg </a>that India is poised to become the world’s third-biggest aviation market by the middle of this decade, if not before. Apart from a wide and growing domestic market, India has a huge potential to grow international travellers – and its many international partnerships count. All the airlines under Tata have been ramping up from the opportunity. While <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-looking-to-become-carrier-of-choice-globally-campbell-wilson-ceo-md/articleshow/94903549.cms?from=mdr">Air India with its legacy</a> in international travel, is all set to capture the growth in travel between India and North America, Vistara too has been ramping up flights <a href="https://traveltradejournal.com/vistara-ramps-up-frequencies-to-frankfurt-and-paris/#:~:text=Starting%2030%20October%202022%2C%20Vistara,from%202x%20to%205x%20weekly.">across international destinations</a>. On the other end, <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/air-india-express-said-to-add-4-boeing-737s-to-meet-growing-demand/article65577170.ece">LCC subsidiary of Air India</a>, Air India Express too is adding new Boeings to its fleet to meet the growing demand. AirAsia too has been inching up its plans to go international. The drag factors All these factors, however, are half the chips in the place – all bode well for a growing aviation conglomerate. Yet, <a href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/tatas-face-uphill-task-in-air-india-turnround-11666293856299.html">analysts have their </a>doubts when it comes to Tata’s ability to pull off these complicated mergers with various cross-holdings and integrate their strengths with partners. Moreso, each of its airlines have their own issues. Vistara and AirAsia India are yet to turn profitable, and they started operations in 2015 and 2013, respectively. Added to that, Air India has a lot of baggage in terms of legacy routes that are unproductive, and in the midst of a turnaround that’s yet to complete – and looks like it would take time. Wilson, who was formerly the CEO of Singapore’s Scoot, too had earlier said that turning around Air India is a matter of hitting many ‘singles’ and an occasional ‘sixes and fours’ <a href="https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/turning-around-air-india-is-a-test-match-we-will-take-lots-of-singles-and-also-hit-the-occasional-fours-and-sixes-campbell-wilson/articleshow/94907763.cms?_oref=cook">in the journey</a>. In spite of healthy growth expectations, the sector could also turn competitive with the arrival of new players – Akasa Air and Jet Airways which are poised for a comeback. While Tata group airlines with their strong market share might be able to withstand pricing pressures better, aggressive challengers might wrest it away from them. Yet, all in all the Tata group has one more trick up its sleeve – its extensive presence in the hospitality sector and its ongoing digital integration as a part of its super app, Tata Neu. The app brings all the services the group offers from retail to hospitality to wallets under one umbrella, and that could bring in revenue upside as the app builds a loyalty programme. As per an HSBC report in August, the group’s Indian Hotels’ loyalty member revenues now contribute to 18% of total revenues by the end of first quarter from 12-13%. While IHCL had 2 million loyalty members of its own, the Tata Neu app helped push this base to 3 million, the report had said. If similar synergies kick in to the aviation business too, there is a value that the group’s umbrella can add to the airlines - both merged and individually. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/article/nykaas-fashion-foray-and-pipeline-style-biz-model-worries-analysts/articleshow/95405203.cms">Nykaa’s fashion foray and pipeline-style biz model worries analysts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/indian-students-going-abroad-to-face-a-triple-whammy-of-inflation-forex-and-interest-rates/articleshow/94974003.cms">Indian students going abroad to face a triple whammy of inflation, forex and interest rates</a>

Tata's mega aviation merger is poised for flight, but the skies are not clear yet

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Singapore AirlinesA Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 ULR.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/singapore-airlines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Singapore Airlines</a> relaunched flagship non-stop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and its home base in Changi Airport in Singapore this month.</li><li>The record-breaking flight covers more than 10,000 miles and can last up to 19 hours depending on conditions. </li><li>Singapore operates the flight using its new fleet of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/airbus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airbus</a> A350-900 ULR airliners.</li><li>According to Singapore Airlines SVP of sales and marketing Campbell Wilson, the ULR's range gives the airline new network route options that weren't available previously. </li></ul>This month, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/longest-flight-in-the-world-singapore-airlines-business-class-review-2018-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Singapore Airlines relaunched flagship non-stop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and its home base in Changi Airport in Singapore</a> using its new <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-a350-900ulr-used-for-singapore-airlines-worlds-longest-flight-2018-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airbus A350-900 ULR jets</a>. Now, passengers flying between the Big Apple and Lion City will no longer have to make a stop in Europe, cutting several hours off their trip. The record-breaking flight covers more than 10,000 miles and can last up to 19 hours depending on conditions. "It's a fantastic day for us to reinstate this service which is a flagship route in our network," Singapore Airlines senior vice president of sales and marketing, Campbell Wilson told Business Insider. "The fact that it happens to be the longest is sort of immaterial to the fact that it's something our customers have long asked for and it really does provide a meaningful benefit to them with respect to time-saving and avoiding the inconvenience of transit." But for Singapore Airlines, the importance of the route reaches far beyond the news making nature of its duration. In recent years, the airline's rivals have built up a really lucrative business by connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia with destinations in North America. Unfortunately, Singapore's geography has prevented the airline from effectively fighting back. "One of the big constraints we have faced being based in Southeast Asia and trying to serve North America is that because of the technical inability to fly nonstop, we have had to have an intermediate (transit) point," Wilson said.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">REUTERS/Edgar SuSingapore Airlines senior vice president of sales and marketing, Campbell Wilson.</div></div></div>For example, Singapore's service to JFK International Airport stops in Frankfurt, Germany before continuing on to New York.These fifth freedom routes are a rarity because it involves Singapore Airlines selling tickets on flights between two foreign countries. In this case, the US and Germany. (A fifth freedom flight is an airline's service between two foreign countries that either begins or ends in a third country.)Countries tend to be very restrictive when it comes to allowing an interloper to do business on routes operated by their own airlines, limiting Singapore's ability to grow its service to North America. "Countries quite jealously guard the rights from their hubs, so at best we can fly daily on these fifth freedom legs," the veteran airline executive explained. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Airbus</div></div></div>And that's where the new Airbus jet comes back into the picture. "The ULR changes the game in the sense that we no are now no longer constrained these fifth freedom limitations," Wilson told us. Singapore Airlines previously operated non-stop service to Newark from 2004 until 2013 using the Airbus A340-500. But high fuel prices and inefficient aircraft made the flight economically unfeasible. "The A340-500 is a four-engined aircraft designed in the 90s and purchased when fuel was $19 a barrel but when fuel increased $119 a barrel the technological limitations of that time was exposed," Wilson explained. "So we said to Airbus if you build an aircraft that is modern generation and can operate the route economically, we'll take it."The result is the A350-900 ULR or ultra long range. "The trigger to re-introducing this flight was the availability of this aircraft," Wilson added. "It is the only one that is, in our view, capable of doing this mission economically."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Singapore AirlinesSingapore Airlines A350 ULR premium economy.</div></div></div>Singapore is the only carrier in the world with these special aircraft. It's based on the ultra-modern A350-900, but modified to carry an additional 6,300 gallons of fuel. This increases the aircraft's range from 9,300 miles to 11,100 miles and allows Singapore to comfortably fly non-stop to North America with a full load of 161 passengers and cargo.According to Wilson, who previously served as the CEO of Scoot, Singapore's low-cost long-haul airline, The ULR's ultra-efficient engines and aerodynamics help it deliver 25% less fuel compared to the previous one."With fuel being 30% to 40% of an airline's costs, those are significant savings especially on such a route where you are consuming a lot of fuel and you are burning fuel and carrying fuel for the last part of the trip," Wilson said.The Newark/New York flight is just the first in a series of new routes Singapore plans to launch to North America using the ULR. In fact, non-stop service to Los Angeles and San Francisco are expected to launch in November. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/science-behind-mounting-tires-controlled-explosion-setting-tire-bead-fire-lighter-fluid-2018-9">The science behind the viral videos of mounting tires with a controlled explosion</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

Singapore Airlines executive reveals why its new Airbus jet is such a game-changing advantage for the airline over its rivals

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Singapore AirlinesThe Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 ULR.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/singapore-airlines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Singapore Airlines</a> relaunched the longest flight in the world last week connecting its home base at Changi Airport with Newark Liberty International Airport just outside of New York City.</li><li>The flight covers 10,000 miles and can last more than 18 hours.</li><li>Singapore Airlines uses a brand new variant of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/airbus-a350" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airbus A350</a>-900 for the flight called the ULR or ultra long range.</li><li>The standard <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/airbus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airbus</a> A350-900 lists for $317.4 million.</li></ul>Last week,<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/longest-flight-in-the-world-singapore-airlines-business-class-review-2018-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Singapore Airlines relaunched the longest flight in the world</a> - a 10,000-mile non-stop service between its home base at <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/singapore-skytrax-worlds-best-airport-2018-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Changi Airport</a> in Singapore and Newark Liberty International Airport just outside of New York City.The 18-hour-long flight also marked the official debut of the Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range or ULR.Singapore Airlines previously operated the route from 2004 to 2013 using the Airbus A340-500. While it has exceptional range and capability, the A340-500 was a relic of the 1990s, and the thirst of its four engines proved too uneconomical to sustain. Even a shift to an all-business-class layout couldn't generate enough income to save the route. "The A340-500 is a four-engined aircraft designed in the 90s and purchased when fuel was $19 a barrel but when fuel increased $119 a barrel the technological limitations of that time was exposed," Singapore Airlines senior vice president of sales and marketing, Campbell Wilson told Business Insider in an interview. "So we said to Airbus if you build an aircraft that is modern generation and can operate the route economically, we'll take it."The result is the Airbus A350-900 ULR."The trigger to re-introducing this flight was the availability of this aircraft," Wilson added. "It is the only one that is, in our view, capable of doing this mission economically."Even though the A350-900, which lists for $317.4 million, entered service in 2015 with Qatar Airways, the first ULR wasn't delivered to Singapore Airlines until the end of September. The biggest difference between the standard A350-900 and the ULR is its range. Airbus managed to cram an additional 6,300 gallons of fuel into the plane's tanks. The result is an increase in range from 9,300 miles to as much as 11,100 miles. In addition to New York/Newark, Singapore is also using its fleet of ULRs to launch non-stop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles as well as San Franciso. Here's a closer look at the new Airbus A350-900 ULR:

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Air India receives India's first Airbus A350 aircraft

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Air India CEO apologizes for mid-air urination incident and says it's reviewing the in-flight alcohol policy

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Air India to spend over $400 mn to fully refurbish wide-body aircraft cabin interiors

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Air India will require more than 6,500 pilots for 470 planes

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Air India urination: Experts seek harsher punishments for unruly behaviour on flights

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Tata's mega aviation merger is poised for flight, but the skies are not clear yet

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Singapore Airlines executive reveals why its new Airbus jet is such a game-changing advantage for the airline over its rivals

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Check out the special $317 million Airbus jet that Singapore Airlines uses on the longest flight in the world

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