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Air India

The widest network between the UK and India — brand-new doored Business now on every Heathrow flight, First Class on the 777, and the only Indian Premium Economy.

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from £X,XXX return · less than booking the airline direct
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Hub
Delhi · Mumbai
Alliance
Star Alliance
Fleet
≈ 190 aircraft
Founded
1932
Cabins held
First · Business · Premium Economy
Air India
About the carrier

TBD

Signature services

What makes them different.

The widest UK–India network

The widest UK–India network

Heathrow, Gatwick & Birmingham to nine Indian cities

New doored Business

New doored Business

1-2-1 suites with sliding doors on the A350 & new 787

Premium Economy

Premium Economy

The only Indian carrier to offer it

First Class on the 777

First Class on the 777

Eight suites, on the Gatwick & Birmingham routes

Where they shine

What we book them for.

01

The widest UK–India network

Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Amritsar and Ahmedabad — more city pairs between the two countries than any other airline, with a single connection onward to forty more.

02

New cabins, arriving fast

As of summer 2026, every Air India service to London Heathrow flies a new or upgraded cabin — the 1-2-1 doored Business on the new and retrofitted 787s. It is worth asking which aircraft operates your date, and we will.

03

First Class on the 777

Air India still flies a genuine First Class — eight private suites — on its Boeing 777-300ER, which from the UK serves the Gatwick and Birmingham routes. If First matters, it is worth asking for specifically.

04

The only Indian Premium Economy

Air India is the one Indian carrier with a Premium Economy cabin, now rolling out across the new and retrofitted long-haul fleet — a genuine middle option its rivals on the route simply do not offer.

On the UK–India routes, Air India flies more city pairs than anyone — Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Amritsar and Ahmedabad — and it is the only one of the three with both a Premium Economy cabin and a First Class. Against British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, who also fly nonstop to India, Air India now matches them on the newest aircraft and beats them on choice of city and cabin. The one thing to watch is which aircraft operates your route — the new 787 to Heathrow, the 777 with First to Gatwick and Birmingham — so the value is in getting you onto the right one. Tell us your route and we'll do exactly that.

The take

Our honest read on Air India

Where the transformation already delivers, and the details worth a call before you book.

Why we rate them
  • The transformation is real, and the new cabins are good Tata-owned and Star Alliance, Air India’s new A350s and refreshed 787s carry a doored 1-2-1 “Elevate” Business that genuinely competes — a different airline from a few years ago.
  • By summer 2026, every Heathrow flight flies an upgraded cabin Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore on new or retrofitted 787s — so from London, the new product is the rule, not the exception.
  • The only Indian carrier with Premium Economy A real middle option on the new and retrofitted long-haul aircraft — useful when Business is a stretch.
  • The widest network to and across India Delhi and Mumbai hubs open up the subcontinent in a way no other carrier matches.
Good to know
  • The fleet is mid-transformation — the aircraft is everything New A350s and retrofitted 787s have the new suite; legacy aircraft still fly an older 2-3-2. The aircraft operating your date decides your cabin, and we confirm it before you book.
  • First Class is 777-300ER only From the UK that means Gatwick and Birmingham (not Heathrow) — we’ll route you to where First actually flies.
  • New routes arrive on a schedule Delhi and Mumbai from Heathrow on upgraded aircraft from July 2026, Bangalore from August — dates are delivery-dependent, so we confirm before you commit.
  • The new A350 First isn’t flying yet It’s planned, not in the air — we’ll tell you what’s genuinely available today rather than what’s promised.
The network

Where they fly.

The UK services we book most, and the onward sectors that matter beyond Delhi.

From London
  • London HeathrowFrom Delhi, Mumbai & Bengaluru — now new 787 cabins
  • London GatwickFrom Ahmedabad & Amritsar — 777 with First Class
  • BirminghamFrom Delhi & Amritsar — 777 with First Class
  • Onward across IndiaTo 40+ Indian cities via Delhi & Mumbai
Strongest sectors
  • London → Delhi / MumbaiNew 787 — doored Business + Premium Economy
  • London → BengaluruRetrofitted 787 — new cabins (from Aug 2026)
  • Gatwick / Birmingham → Amritsar / Ahmedabad777 — with First Class
  • Delhi → 40+ Indian cities, plus Asia & Australiavia Delhi & Mumbai

On the UK–India routes, Air India flies more city pairs than anyone — Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Amritsar and Ahmedabad — and it is the only one of the three with both a Premium Economy cabin and a First Class. Against British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, who also fly nonstop to India, Air India now matches them on the newest aircraft and beats them on choice of city and cabin. The one thing to watch is which aircraft operates your route — the new 787 to Heathrow, the 777 with First to Gatwick and Birmingham — so the value is in getting you onto the right one. Tell us your route and we'll do exactly that.

The seat products

The cabins, in detail.

Each cabin Air India flies from the UK, with the seat, configuration and the aircraft you’ll find it on — and which routes carry it.

First
First · cabin imageryAir India First
First

Air India First

Private suites with doors configuration
Private suites with doors

Eight private suites in a single forward cabin, on the Boeing 777-300ER — fully flat, with a privacy door. This is the cabin to seek out if First matters: from the UK it flies the Gatwick and Birmingham routes, and Delhi–Melbourne. The 777 retrofit through 2027–28 will refresh it further.

  • SeatAir India First, 8 suites
  • Pitch / bedFully flat, ~6.5 ft
  • ConfigurationPrivate suites with doors
  • AircraftBoeing 777-300ER (legacy fleet)
  • NotableFrom the UK: Gatwick & Birmingham routes; also Delhi–Melbourne
Business
Business · cabin imageryAir India Business (new)
Business

Air India Business (new)

1-2-1 with doors configuration
1-2-1 with doors

Air India’s new Business: a 1-2-1 staggered suite with a sliding door and a fully flat 79-inch bed, with direct aisle access from every seat. It flies on the A350, the new 787-9 and the retrofitted 787-8s — and as of summer 2026, every London Heathrow service uses it. This is the cabin replacing the airline’s old reputation.

  • Seat“Elevate” / Adient Ascent suite with door
  • Pitch / bed79" fully flat
  • Configuration1-2-1 with doors
  • AircraftA350-900, new 787-9, retrofitted 787-8
  • NotableNow on every London Heathrow service (summer 2026)
Business (legacy)
Business (legacy) · cabin imageryAir India Business (legacy)
Business (legacy)

Air India Business (legacy)

2-3-2 (no door) configuration
2-3-2 configuration

The older Business cabin still flies on un-retrofitted 777s and some legacy 787-8s — an angled 2-3-2 seat without direct aisle access from every seat. It is on its way out as the retrofit completes through 2027–28, but until then it can still appear, which is exactly why we confirm the aircraft before you book.

  • SeatLegacy angled Business
  • Pitch / bedAngled lie-flat
  • Configuration2-3-2 (no door)
  • AircraftUn-retrofitted 777-300ER, some legacy 787-8
  • NotableBeing phased out through 2027–28
Premium Economy
Premium Economy · cabin imageryAir India Premium Economy
Premium Economy

Air India Premium Economy

2-3-2 (787) · 2-4-2 (A350) configuration
2-3-2 / 2-4-2

Air India is the only Indian carrier to offer Premium Economy, and it now appears on the newer and refitted widebodies — a true middle cabin with extra width, pitch and recline. On the UK routes it flies the Heathrow 787s today, and the Bengaluru service from August 2026.

  • SeatRecaro PL3530
  • Pitch / bed~38" pitch, extended recline
  • Configuration2-3-2 (787) · 2-4-2 (A350)
  • AircraftA350, new & retrofitted 787s
  • NotableThe only Premium Economy on an Indian carrier
On board
A restaurant in the skyA taste of India, at altitude
On board · in flight

A taste of India, at altitude

Air India leans into what it does best — authentic regional Indian cooking alongside international dishes, in every long-haul cabin. In Business and First the menus are multi-course, with Indian and Western options, a curated wine list and the warm service the airline is known for.

  • Indian & international
    Multi-course menus with regional Indian dishes and Western options
  • Business & First
    Full table service, curated wines and Champagne in the premium cabins
  • Special diets
    Extensive vegetarian, Jain, Hindu and other meals, with advance request
  • The Maharaja touch
    Service rooted in Indian hospitality, on the ground and in the air
The fleet

Aircraft & the premium seats on board.

What Air India operates from the UK today, and which cabin you will be seated in on each. The fleet is mid-transformation, so this changes by aircraft and route — and we confirm yours before you book.

AircraftFirstBusinessPremium EconomyNotes
Airbus A350-900—28 — 1-2-1, doored24Flagship new cabins; Delhi–LHR, JFK, Newark
Boeing 787-9 (new)—30 — 1-2-1, doored21New build; doored Business + PE; LHR, Toronto
Boeing 787-8 (retrofitted)—20 — 1-2-1, doored25New cabins; LHR from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru (mid-2026)
Boeing 777-300ER8 suites40 — fully flat—First Class; Gatwick & Birmingham, Delhi–Melbourne; retrofit 2027–28
Boeing 787-8 (legacy)—18 — 2-3-2, angled—Pre-retrofit; older cabin, being phased out
Airbus A320 / A321neo—Recliner—Domestic & short-haul connections across India
From the UK

UK departures: what you'll actually fly.

Air India's fleet is mid-transformation, so the cabin depends entirely on the aircraft and route — the new 787 and A350 carry a doored Business, the 777 carries First Class, and older jets are still being retrofitted. This is the picture today, and we confirm your aircraft before you book.

AircraftWhere you'll find itBusinessFirst
A350-900 (flagship)Delhi → London Heathrow, New York, NewarkNew Business — 1-2-1 staggered suites with doors, fully flatNo First (Premium Economy below)
New 787-9 / retrofitted 787-8London Heathrow from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru (from mid-2026)New “Elevate” Business — 1-2-1 suites with doorsNo First (Premium Economy below)
777-300ER (legacy)London Gatwick & Birmingham (Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Delhi); Delhi–MelbourneBusiness — 40 fully flat seats (full retrofit 2027-28)First Class — 8 suites
Legacy 787-8 / older 777 (pre-retrofit)Some routes, being retrofitted through 2027Older 2-3-2 Business (dated, no door)None

Verified against Air India schedules · June 2026. Equipment changes — we re-check your exact flight at booking.

Not sure which aircraft is on your dates? That's exactly what we're for— tell us whether the seat, the timing or the fare matters most, and we'll match the flight to it.

Before the gate

The ground experience.

Lounges, transfers and the small things that make a long itinerary easier.

Delhi Terminal 3

The Maharaja Lounge

Air India’s flagship lounge at Delhi T3, with Indian and international dining, showers and a quiet zone — for First and Business passengers and Star Alliance Gold members.

London Heathrow T2

The Star Alliance terminal

Air India flies from Heathrow Terminal 2, the Star Alliance home, with lounge access for premium passengers and eligible frequent flyers, and a single, simple transfer onward at Delhi or Mumbai.

Across India

One-stop to forty cities

At Delhi and Mumbai, Air India connects under one booking to more than forty domestic destinations — Goa, Kochi, Jaipur, Amritsar and more — with bags checked through to your final city.

Before you ask

Questions we're asked about Air India.

Which Air India flights have the new Business Class with doors?

The new 1-2-1 Business suite with sliding doors flies on the A350, the new 787-9 and retrofitted 787-8s — and as of summer 2026, every Air India flight to London Heathrow (from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru) uses a new or upgraded cabin. Older aircraft still fly the previous seat, so we confirm the aircraft and route you onto a new-cabin flight.

Does Air India have First Class, and on which flights?

Yes — First Class flies on the Boeing 777, which from the UK serves London Gatwick and Birmingham (and Delhi–Melbourne). The new 787s and A350 to Heathrow don't carry First, but offer the new Business and Premium Economy. If you want First, tell us and we'll route you onto a 777.

Is Air India's Premium Economy worth it?

It's the only Premium Economy any Indian carrier offers, and it now flies on the newer and refitted widebodies — a genuine middle cabin with extra space and recline on the India routes. Tell us your route and we'll confirm whether your flight has it.

Air India used to have dated cabins — has that changed?

Substantially, and quickly. Under Tata ownership, and now merged with Vistara, Air India is rolling out brand-new interiors across its fleet, and by summer 2026 every Heathrow service flies a new or upgraded cabin. Some older aircraft are still awaiting their turn, which is precisely why we check the aircraft before booking.

How much is Air India Business or First from the UK?

Business indicatively from £X,XXX return on the contracted trade fares we hold; First (on the 777) is quoted on request. Tell us your route and dates and the exact figure follows the same hour.

Is Air India in an alliance?

Yes — Air India is a Star Alliance member, the only Indian carrier in the alliance, alongside Lufthansa, SWISS, United and Singapore Airlines, with its Maharaja Club programme (formerly Flying Returns) and Star Alliance lounge access worldwide.

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