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## New Air India first class arriving on A350-1000
Air India is in the process of rebranding itself, which includes the debut of entirely new cabins on its long-haul aircraft. While the airline has already launched a new business class offering, it is set to roll out first class on the newly delivered Airbus A350-1000s, as well as on currently retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs.
Here’s where it becomes intriguing — originally, Air India intended to utilize the Safran Unity platform for these aircraft, with the first class envisioned as more of a “business class plus” experience in terms of seat comfort (maximizing the additional space at the bulkhead).
However, due to “supply chain challenges” and other factors, Air India ultimately opted for a different provider for its new seating. The A350-1000s will feature the Recaro R7 as their business class offering, which consists of staggered suites equipped with doors (LATAM was the first airline to implement these seats). A lingering question has been the nature of the first class product Air India would introduce, diverging from the Safran Unity platform.
Now we have clarity. According to @LiveFromALounge, it’s been disclosed that Air India will incorporate a tailored version of the first class suite crafted by Airbus.
I discussed this last year, highlighting the First Class Master Suite idea. This is an upgrade compared to a minimal “business class plus” offering and significantly better than the airline’s current first class. A major open question still lingers about what Air India plans for its 777 first class, as I believe this product is specific to Airbus.
## So, is Air India’s first class going to be exceptional?
There’s an extensive level of customization available with this seating design. One certainty is that whatever product Air India selects, it will surpass previous expectations.
It appears that, regardless of specifics, the layout will likely be 1-1-1, reminiscent of Japan Airlines’ A350 first class, Lufthansa’s A350 first class, etc.
This also encompasses the First Class Master Suite concept, featuring one suite that is particularly spacious. Personally, I doubt Air India will go excessively extravagant with customizations, so I wouldn’t anticipate the complete bedroom idea.
I am particularly eager to witness how this first class product develops. Among upcoming first class offerings, this one, Singapore Airlines’ new first class (for select retrofitted A350s), and Cathay Pacific’s new first class (for certain upcoming 777Xs) are the most intriguing to me.
## Conclusion
Air India will soon unveil its new flagship Airbus A350-1000, providing us with increased insight into what the interiors will resemble. While the initial vision for first class was a rather humble “business class plus” hard product, that strategy changed, as the airline no longer intends to utilize the Safran Unity platform.
The airline will now collaborate with Airbus on new first class suites, which have the potential to be quite remarkable. Although there’s significant customization possible, it seems very likely that the airline will launch a first class hard product that is genuinely competitive, probably ranking among the top in the industry. Whether Air India can deliver a soft product to match remains to be discovered…
**What are your thoughts on Air India’s first class developments?**