Air India is the flag carrier airline of India headquartered in New Delhi. Air India Limited, a government-owned enterprise, owns and operates a Boeing and Airbus aircraft fleet serving 102 international and domestic destinations. It is the largest international carrier. Across four continents, 60 international destinations are served by the airlines. On 11 July, 20214, the airline became the 27th member of Star Alliance.
Brief History of Air India –
In 1932, the airlines were formed by J.R.D Tata as Tata Airlines. Tata himself flew De Havilland Puss Moth (its first single-engine) carrying mail from Karachi’s Drigh Road Airport to Bombay’s Juhu aerodrome and later continuing to Madras. After World War World II, it became a public limited company and was renamed Air India. The 1st Boeing 707 Gauri Shankar was delivered on 21 February 1960, and Air India became the first Asian airline to have a jet aircraft. In 2000–01, attempts were made to privatize the airline, and in 2006 it merged with Indian Airlines and since then suffered huge losses.
It also operates flights to Asian and domestic destinations through its subsidiaries Air India Express and Alliance Air. The mascot of the airlines is Maharaja, and the logo consists of a flying swan with the wheel of Konark inside it.
Services of Air India –
Cabin – The Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 777-200LR/777-300ER aircraft are long-distance flights in a three-class configuration. AirbusA321 and Boeing, 787 Dreamliner aircraft, have a two-class configuration. Airbus A320 aircraft operated on domestic- and short-distance international flights are either a two-class configuration and an all-economy configuration. Airbus A319 aircraft has a complete economy configuration. With a flight duration of 90 minutes, it provides meals in both domestic and international.
In-flight entertainment – The aircraft is equipped with a Thales i3000in-flight entertainment system. Five channels are there to choose from, which airs in English and Hindi content. Air India’s Boeing 747, 787, 777 aircraft have personal on-demand in-flight entertainment systems on which passengers can choose from available content. The official entertainment guide published by the airline is Showtime. Shubh Yatra is a flight magazine published in English and Hindi.
Frequent flyer program – Flying Return is the airline’s frequent flyer program and shared by both the airlines and its subsidiaries. For awards travel on some other airlines, the points can be redeemed.
Premium lounges – The Maharaja Lounge is available for the use of Business and 1st class passengers. The airline shares lounges with other international airlines at the international airport, where this lounge is not available. There are eight Maharaja Lounges.
