Air India plys nation's first Airbus A350 from Bengaluru's KIA to Mumbai

Air India on January 22 launched its maiden scheduled commercial flight with Indias first Airbus A350900also the first aircraft in the new bold airlines livery Initially the aircraft will be deployed on domestic routes for crew familiarisation and regulatory compliance but will later deployed for longhaul flightsPresently passengers from Bengaluru Chennai Delhi Hyderabad and Mumbai will be able to experience flying in the Airbus A350part of the 470 new aircraft order that Air India placed less than a year agoInaugural flight flyers pose Special ArrangementFlight AI 589 departed on time 705 AM from Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport on January 22 bound for Mumbai arriving on time at 850 AM carrying a nearcapacity load of passengers who were eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience the new aircraft said an official from Mumbai AirportA passenger deboarding at Mumbai airport while talking to midday said The experience of travelling in the new aircraft was amazing I was one of those lucky people to experience the first flight of the aircraft I hope this new aircraft is soon made available for international flightsSwapnil Sardeshpande an aeronautical engineer and aviation enthusiast said The weather is dull but the spirits are high as we board this beauty A350900 to Mumbai Such a beautiful experience witnessing the dawn of a new era in AviationEconomy section of the Airbus A350 Special ArrangementThe aircraft was on static display at the recent Wings India Global Aviation Summit in Hyderabad where the public got a first glimpse of the IFE and distinct inflight amenities that will form part of the experience once the aircraft begins its international operations said an official from Air IndiaAnother official informed midday that the airline welcomed 20 Airbus A350900 aircraft registered VTJRA was welcomed at Indira Gandhi International IGI Airport of Delhi on December 23 2023 The flights had come from the Airbus facility in Toulouse France AI 589 will operate every day of the week barring Tuesdays departing Bengaluru at 705 am and landing in Mumbai at 850 am the official saidSatyaki Raghunath an official from BLR airport said It was fantastic to see so many AVGeeka aviation geeks or enthusiasts on the January 22 morning waiting to get on the first commercial flight of Airbus A350900He added It was a mesmerizing site to witness the AirIndia Airbus A350 VTJRA as she taxied out and departed on Runway 09R at BLR Airport on her first revenue flight on January 22Business class seating inside Airbus A350 Special ArrangementCampbell Wilson Chief Executive Officer amp Managing Director Air India in a previous statement said ldquoThis moment marks a redletter day for all of us at Air India The A350 is not just metal and engines itrsquos the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airlinersquos continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks It is also in many ways a declaration of Indian aviationrsquos resurgence on the world stagerdquoldquoAs a symbol of the new age of flying the A350 promises a worldclass longhaul travel experience on our nonstop routes providing an unparalleled level of comfort Its excellent flight economics and stateoftheart technology underscore our dedication to commercially successful operations and to achieving our sustainability goalsrdquo Wilson added