Airlines of India - AI to deploy 77w for US, Canada, Europe and Japan routes

Very strange - where did AI have 330s operating at all? I thought a lot of the europe (and japan) routes were served by 747s.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Hi-tech-aircraft-for-AI-long-haul-flights/articleshow/5110990.cms

KOLKATA: Passengers flying to long haul destinations in the United States, Europe, Canada and Japan on Air India now have reason to cheer. The
national carrier is set to deploy Boeing B 777 series aircraft on all seven West-bound sectors as well as Japan from October 25.

"Of the 111 new aircraft ordered, AI has received and inducted 64 aircraft. This includes nine B 777-300 ER (extended range), eight B777-200 LR (long range)," said an AI official.

From October 25, the carrier will fly the B 777 aircraft to Newark, Paris, Toronto and Tokyo, replacing the Airbus A 330 series aircraft that were in use. "While we are going to fly B 777-399 ER to Newark, Toronto and Paris, B 777-220 LR aircraft will fly to Tokyo," the official added.

Very strange - where did AI have 330s operating at all? I thought a lot of the europe (and japan) routes were served by 747s.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Hi-tech-aircraft-for-AI-long-haul-flights/articleshow/5110990.cms

KOLKATA: Passengers flying to long haul destinations in the United States, Europe, Canada and Japan on Air India now have reason to cheer. The
national carrier is set to deploy Boeing B 777 series aircraft on all seven West-bound sectors as well as Japan from October 25.

"Of the 111 new aircraft ordered, AI has received and inducted 64 aircraft. This includes nine B 777-300 ER (extended range), eight B777-200 LR (long range)," said an AI official.

From October 25, the carrier will fly the B 777 aircraft to Newark, Paris, Toronto and Tokyo, replacing the Airbus A 330 series aircraft that were in use. "While we are going to fly B 777-399 ER to Newark, Toronto and Paris, B 777-220 LR aircraft will fly to Tokyo," the official added.

Wouldn't they be 777-237 and 777-337s ?

Very strange - where did AI have 330s operating at all? I thought a lot of the europe (and japan) routes were served by 747s.

The 330s operated Paris and Tokyo. I flew on one this morning and it was a darn sight more comfortable in Y class than the aging 77Ws.

The 330s operated Paris and Tokyo. I flew on one this morning and it was a darn sight more comfortable in Y class than the aging 77Ws.

Huh? "Aging 77Ws"? They're almost all brand new. Maybe you mean the 772s leased some time ago from UA, and used to/from Toronto? Those will go to the Gulf routes, replacing the last 744s.

77Ws have operated the DEL-FRA-ORD and BOM-FRA-EWR routes for months; and 77Ls on the JFK nonstops. The only changes here are YYZ, CDG, and NRT.

Huh? "Aging 77Ws"? They're almost all brand new.

Yes, but that doesn't stop them from being "aging". I flew on VT-ALO (delivered July 2009) over the weekend and was shocked at the tattered condition of the aircraft interior. Over 10% of Business Class seats were inoperable, some Economy Class PTVs were broken, numerous reading light bulbs had fused, etc.. In contrast, the A330 VT-IWB was in a much better state yesterday. I should also add that I flew on both VT-AIK and VT-AIL (the ex-UA 777s) earlier this year and their condition was probably better than either ALO or IWB.

Yes, but that doesn't stop them from being "aging". I flew on VT-ALO (delivered July 2009) over the weekend and was shocked at the tattered condition of the aircraft interior. Over 10% of Business Class seats were inoperable, some Economy Class PTVs were broken, numerous reading light bulbs had fused, etc.. In contrast, the A330 VT-IWB was in a much better state yesterday. I should also add that I flew on both VT-AIK and VT-AIL (the ex-UA 777s) earlier this year and their condition was probably better than either ALO or IWB.So, how can AI's pax do so such damage? :p

Amazing, considering they have such a huge labor force, to repair such damage/faults...

Edited to Add:

For balance, I just had someone (who flies and swears by CX) complain to me that the SQ 77w business seats were filthy... :eek:

SQ 77W J seats are going to look like the Waldorf compared to AI. Much like the city buses etc in India - even when they're brand new they attract a surprising lot of graffiti, torn seats from vandals with blades etc.

So, how can AI's pax do so such damage? :p

Amazing, considering they have such a huge labor force, to repair such damage/faults...

Edited to Add:

For balance, I just had someone (who flies and swears by CX) complain to me that the SQ 77w business seats were filthy... :eek:

SQ 77W J seats are going to look like the Waldorf compared to AI.:D