Air India taking delivery of 6 A359 (ex SU)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Goa, India
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Ambassador, Hyatt Explorist, Qatar Gold, Vistara Gold
Posts: 1,294
Air India taking delivery of 6 A359 (ex SU)
So the deal has finally happened and the most interesting bit of news is 6x A359 that were due for Aeroflot will be delivered this year.
Aeroflot's 359 business is similar to the Delta One suite so I wonder if the planes have already been fitted with this product? If yes that's a HUGE upgrade for AI and could well become the carrier of choice for many looking for nonstop US/EU travel.
Aeroflot's 359 business is similar to the Delta One suite so I wonder if the planes have already been fitted with this product? If yes that's a HUGE upgrade for AI and could well become the carrier of choice for many looking for nonstop US/EU travel.
Last edited by Anish; Feb 14, 2023 at 8:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
So the deal has finally happened and the most interesting bit of news is 6x A359 that were due for Aeroflot will be delivered this year.
Aeroflot's 359 business is similar to the Delta One suite so I wonder if the planes have already been fitted with this product? If yes that's a HUGE upgrade for AI and could well become the carrier of choice for many looking for nonstop US/EU travel.
Aeroflot's 359 business is similar to the Delta One suite so I wonder if the planes have already been fitted with this product? If yes that's a HUGE upgrade for AI and could well become the carrier of choice for many looking for nonstop US/EU travel.
Hopefully in the next 2-5 years they will standardize the experience across their entire fleet. They are leaders in the international market out of India and need to fix this, it will help them challenge 6E in the domestic market when the time comes.
#3
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Turkish has been taking the ex SU A359 since some time. They are really nice. Collins seats in all cabins (Horizon suite in C; MiQ in PE; Aspire in Y)
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2020/0...e-on-new-a350/
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2020/0...e-on-new-a350/
#6
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
It seems AI has setup a separate company to lease the 6 A359: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com...le67216202.ece
The first A359 #554 VT-JRH is getting ready in TLS, already had two test flights this month: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/554
It was already outfitted with the SU interior and painted in Aeroflot livery, but the delivery stopped in March 2022. Now it has become a whitetail and is expected to get the new AI livery in SIN sometime this quarter.
#585 came out of the FAL last week: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/585
#589 in July: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/589
#558 is also ready: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/558
The first A359 #554 VT-JRH is getting ready in TLS, already had two test flights this month: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/554
It was already outfitted with the SU interior and painted in Aeroflot livery, but the delivery stopped in March 2022. Now it has become a whitetail and is expected to get the new AI livery in SIN sometime this quarter.
#585 came out of the FAL last week: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/585
#589 in July: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/589
#558 is also ready: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/558
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Goa, India
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Ambassador, Hyatt Explorist, Qatar Gold, Vistara Gold
Posts: 1,294
Here's a review of the TK 359 with the same Aeroflot cabin AI is inheriting
#9
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
554 had its customer acceptance flight last week: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/554
585 took off for its first flight today: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/585
558 is busy testing: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/558
592 is still parked
589 & 594 got the basic white paint in late August
585 took off for its first flight today: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/585
558 is busy testing: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/558
592 is still parked
589 & 594 got the basic white paint in late August
#11
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
The first SU A350 has (almost) joined the AI fleet.
https://indianexpress.com/article/bu...-city-8961221/
https://indianexpress.com/article/bu...-city-8961221/
Last edited by PiperAtGatesofDawn; Sep 30, 2023 at 6:41 pm
#12
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Which one? It seems they will get an Austrian tail sign (OE-) which will certainly rile up the Bharat fraction... (remember the rucus about VT-?)
554 (OE-LGB?) is parked since its customer acceptance flight (CAF) on Sep 12: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/554
585 had its 2nd flight last week: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/585
558 had its CAF (3rd flight) yesterday: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/558
592 is still parked
589 & 594 got the basic white paint in late August
554 (OE-LGB?) is parked since its customer acceptance flight (CAF) on Sep 12: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/554
585 had its 2nd flight last week: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/585
558 had its CAF (3rd flight) yesterday: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/558
592 is still parked
589 & 594 got the basic white paint in late August
#13
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
Which one? It seems they will get an Austrian tail sign (OE-) which will certainly rile up the Bharat fraction... (remember the rucus about VT-?)
554 (OE-LGB?) is parked since its customer acceptance flight (CAF) on Sep 12: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/554
554 (OE-LGB?) is parked since its customer acceptance flight (CAF) on Sep 12: https://aviation.flights/aib/A350/554