Air India has enhanced its European routes, specifically with a new daily service between Bengaluru and London Heathrow beginning on October 27. The route, operated by a Boeing 787-8, marks a strategic shift as the airline expands its fleet with the latest Airbus A350-900s, repurposed from Aeroflot, and continues to upgrade its international services. Despite existing connectivity with London Gatwick, this move shifts the Bengaluru-London route to the more premium Heathrow Airport, aiming to capture a higher yield market.
Introduction of Airbus A350 Fleet
Air India currently possesses six A350-900s, initially intended for the Russian carrier Aeroflot, with an average age of only a year. Known for their high standards in hard product quality, these aircraft are a significant improvement compared to the existing widebody fleet, which includes older Boeing models such as the 787-8, 777-200LR, and 777-300ER. In addition to the A350-900, the airline has ordered A350-1000s, 787-9s (some transferred from Vistara), and Boeing 777-9s as part of its fleet overhaul.
Commenting on the modernization, a source close to the airline remarked, “Improving is a word that reasonably describes Air India’s changes.” The airline has been under pressure to upgrade its service quality, and these new aircraft align with its objective of refreshing and expanding its fleet to better compete on global routes.
Expansion to London Heathrow
The daily Bengaluru-Heathrow route was made possible through slots leased from SAS, likely available only during the winter season. Air India’s newly acquired slots will allow the Boeing 787-8 to depart Bengaluru and arrive at Heathrow at 19:30, with a return flight departing London at 21:05. The move also complements Air India’s recent enhancement of Delhi-Heathrow services, now operated triple daily using slots transferred from Vistara.
This shift highlights Air India’s strategy of capitalizing on Heathrow’s premium status compared to Gatwick, where it has run flights since August 2024. At Gatwick, Air India initially boosted its Bengaluru frequencies but soon decided to switch to Heathrow for its potentially higher yields. Nonetheless, Gatwick will continue serving Air India’s routes from other key Indian cities such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi, capitalizing on the absence of direct competition and Gatwick’s lower operating fees.
Overview of the Airbus A350 Configuration
With the latest delivery in May 2024, Air India’s Airbus A350 fleet became the airline’s largest-capacity equipment. For example, the recently delivered VT-JRI flew from Toulouse to Delhi on May 12 and entered operational service on May 21, with its first journey from Delhi to Hyderabad. Each A350-900 features 316 seats, positioned just below the Boeing 777-300ER (which offers between 328 to 342 seats, including a first-class cabin).
The seating arrangement for Air India’s A350-900s includes:
– 28 enclosed suites in a 1-2-1 layout – matching the business class count on Air India’s 777-200LRs. This configuration, however, exceeds that of the 787-8, which is fitted with fewer business seats.
– 24 premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout – positioned between the business and economy cabins to provide enhanced comfort.
– 264 economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout – typical of most widebody configurations but with Air India’s unique design adaptations.
Service Entry and Operational Shifts
The A350-900s officially entered service on January 22, 2024, initially limited to domestic routes for crew training. These domestic operations continued until the end of April, with the A350s making their first international appearance on a flight to Dubai on May 1. The aircraft soon embarked on its long-haul debut on June 20, transporting passengers to London Gatwick ahead of the Farnborough Air Show, after which it served its first formal long-haul route to London Heathrow on September 1.
Winter Schedule for the A350 Routes
With the approach of winter schedules (starting October 27, as per IATA guidelines), Air India will adjust its A350 deployments to focus more on international long-haul routes, with fewer domestic rotations. From this date until March 29, the A350s will operate on various routes from Air India’s main hub in Delhi. Notable route adjustments include the discontinuation of Dubai services starting in November and the withdrawal from Bengaluru and Mumbai in January, ensuring the A350 is prioritized for longer flights in its optimal range.
The planned A350 routes for the winter period include:
– Delhi to Bengaluru: Two daily flights until December 31, departing at 03:00 and 08:00, with return flights at 07:45 and 12:20.
– Delhi to Dubai: Daily services until October 31, departing at 20:45 with returns at 00:15.
– Delhi to London Heathrow: Two daily services at 02:35 and 07:30, with return flights scheduled at 08:45 and 13:30.
– Delhi to New York JFK: Daily service beginning November 1, replacing the Boeing 777-300ER, with outbound flights at 02:30 and return flights at 10:55.
– Delhi to Hyderabad: Daily service at 16:15, returning at 19:45.
– Delhi to Newark: Daily service starting January 2, replacing the existing 777-200ER and 777-300ER rotations, with flights departing at 02:30 and returning at 11:15.
– Delhi to Mumbai: Daily flights until December 31, with departures at 14:00 and returns at 18:00.
Strategic Considerations and the Role of Heathrow vs. Gatwick
The strategic reallocation of the Bengaluru service to Heathrow represents a calculated decision, prioritizing market yield potential over volume. Heathrow’s status as one of the world’s premier aviation hubs provides Air India with better revenue opportunities from business travelers and premium economy passengers compared to Gatwick. “Things are not as they seem,” noted one aviation analyst, pointing to the airline’s overall shift toward higher-revenue destinations.
However, Gatwick will retain its importance for Air India’s secondary routes from cities like Ahmedabad and Goa, as these markets lack direct competition and benefit from lower airport fees. This dual-hub approach enables Air India to capture diverse passenger segments, leveraging Heathrow for high-yield routes and Gatwick for cost-effective connectivity to secondary markets.
Future Fleet Expansions and Market Adjustments
As Air India continues its ambitious fleet expansion, which includes incoming A350-1000s and 777-9s, the airline is expected to further streamline its widebody offerings and phase out older models. The upgraded fleet and route network reflect Air India’s vision of becoming a significant player in international aviation.
With the airline adjusting its European and North American connections, the emphasis is now on reliability, comfort, and frequency, marking a significant shift from previous service offerings.