Timing:

The timing of this flight is perfect for connections in India. I do think , it could leave an hour or 1.5 hours sooner, that will still allow enough time for west coast connectors and reach India sooner for more connections.

The timing from India is 1:00 AM, but I am sure the flight will arrive before time, if it leaves India on time. The AA scheduled time is 12:55 AM departure and arrival at 4:50 AM. Just wondering as to how is AA catching up 1 hour.

Fares & Market:

The fares are a steal in executive class. One way fare for PNQ-DEL-ORD is $1945 and rountrip at $3650. With integration of IC and AI, AI should be able to tap better traffic within India with its connections to Indian cities from Delhi as compared to AA. AA has an advantage to tap more traffic within US with connections to west coast and south.

Once AI joins Star alliance, it could codeshare with United to attract more connections within US , AA does the same with Jet Airways or Kingfisher in India.

AA will have advantage of attracting its frequent fliers as it can upgrade them or they continue to earn miles, AI will attract UA customers although a bit in smaller number compared to AAs frequent fliers.

Planes:

With the product being so new and one of the best in the markets & preference of non stop route over one stop in europe, AI is destined for success if they don't screw up things like before. I am very excited about AI executive class flat bed over any other carrier, say , LH, AF or for that matter even AA. I see this as a death nail for EU carriers flying their old birds to India and still attracting enough Indian passengers in return.

Effects:
With AIs non stop service into JFK and EWR (commencing shortly from BOM), I could see that CO brought down its Business first fares from EWR to 4100 USD, connecting from Seattle. Used to be $6K or $7K before. There will be price pressure on AA for this.

No doubt the service will run to capacity, provided AI doesnt screw up service due to lax maintenance or our "ministers" dont misuse this for personal agenda. The planes are new with AVOD and good food.

I am excited about this service, I dont have many miles to pay AA for upgrade and instead of flying $1470 from seattle to del one way on AA, I am going to fly $2600 on AI in executive.