Air India has long been known for its warm hospitality, but until recently, its business class product lagged behind global competitors. That’s changing fast. With a sweeping fleet modernization and new partnerships under the Tata Group, the airline’s premium cabin finally feels ready to compete on the world stage. Think fully lie-flat seats with direct aisle access, upgraded dining that leans into Indian flavors, and a cabin design that feels more polished than ever before.
On long-haul routes like New York to Delhi, San Francisco to Bangalore, and London to Mumbai, these changes aren’t just cosmetic…they transform the experience. In 2025, Air India’s new business class isn’t just about catching up. It’s about proving the flag carrier can hold its own against Emirates, Qatar, and even the best U.S. and European rivals.
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Overview of Air India: What’s New in 2025?
Air India is basically becoming a whole different airline right now, and honestly, it’s pretty exciting to watch. The Tata takeover has resulted in the largest aircraft order in aviation history – 570 planes total, including 470 from the original order plus an additional 100 A350s and A320s announced in 2025. I’ve been tracking their progress since the takeover, and the changes are actually happening way faster than I expected.
As of 2025, they’re operating 190+ aircraft with six shiny new A350-900s already in service, and they’re rolling out routes like crazy. The Delhi to Newark route launched in January 2025, and they’re planning non-stop flights to Dallas and Los Angeles by late 2025. They’ve also optimized schedules on the Delhi-Frankfurt and Delhi-Paris routes to offer both daytime and nighttime departures, which is actually super helpful for connecting flights.
What really caught my attention is their $400 million retrofit program that’s actually happening right now, not just promised for “someday.” They’ve already completed 16 of their legacy A320neo aircraft as of August 2025, and the widebody retrofits are underway with Boeing 787s heading to California for complete overhauls. The whole fleet transformation should wrap up by 2027, which means you’ll get a consistent product no matter which Air India plane you’re on.
Air India’s New Business Class Benefits in 2025
The new Air India A350 business class is honestly a game-changer, and I’m not just saying that. It features 28 Collins Aerospace Horizon Premier suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, all with direct aisle access and sliding privacy doors. I flew it from Delhi to London last year, and the privacy doors actually work well – you can close them completely for your own little cocoon.
The seat configuration is pretty clever too. Even-numbered rows have middle seats closer to the aisle and window seats farther back for privacy, while odd-numbered rows have the middle seats closer together (perfect for couples) and window seats closer to the aisle. If you’re traveling solo, grab an even-numbered window seat for maximum privacy.
Each suite has a full wardrobe where you can actually hang a jacket, separate shoe storage, and a vanity cabinet with a mirror and lamp. The 21-inch entertainment screen is huge, and there are both USB-A ports and universal power outlets. What I really liked was the massive shoe cabinet – way bigger than what you get on most airlines.
The seats convert to fully flat beds that are 6’6″ long, which is actually longer than many other airlines. The footwell is surprisingly spacious too – I could move my feet around comfortably even when lying on my side. The seat controls are embedded in the armrest, though I did accidentally hit them a few times during the flight.
- Read next: Top Business Class Airlines
Air India Business Class Products: A Detailed Comparison
Air India’s fleet situation is actually pretty complicated right now because they’re running four different business class products simultaneously. You’ve got the new A350 suites, ex-Delta One suites on some 777s, ex-Etihad Pearl Business class on other 777s, and the traditional Air India business class on older aircraft. It’s confusing, but here’s what you need to know.
The A350-900 is obviously the star of the show. These six aircraft are deployed on Delhi-London Heathrow, Delhi-New York JFK, and Delhi-Newark routes, with 28 business suites, 24 premium economy seats, and 264 economy seats. If you can snag one of these routes, do it – the product is honestly world-class.
The Boeing 777 and 787 fleets are getting completely retrofitted between now and 2028, with the 787s going first (completion by mid-2027) and the 777s following (early 2027 to October 2028). The retrofitted aircraft will get three-class configurations with new business class seats, premium economy, and enhanced economy cabins.
For narrow-body flights, they’re using A320 family aircraft with 8-12 business class recliner seats in a 2-2 configuration. The newly delivered A321neos and 787-9s are being deployed on routes like Delhi-Singapore and Mumbai-Singapore, featuring fully flat beds even on the single-aisle aircraft. Air India is actually one of the few Asian airlines offering fully flat business class beds on narrow-body planes.
I’ve noticed the product consistency varies wildly depending on which aircraft you get. The A350s are phenomenal, the retrofitted planes are solid, but some of the older legacy aircraft still feel pretty dated. Always check which aircraft type you’re flying before booking.
Baggage Allowance with Air India Business Class
Air India business class baggage allowance is actually pretty generous, and way better than what most airlines offer these days. For carry-on, you get one piece of hand baggage up to 12 kg (26 lbs) with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. That’s the standard cabin baggage size, but the 12kg weight limit is higher than economy.
For checked baggage, business class passengers get two pieces, each weighing up to 32 kg (70 lbs). That’s a total of 64kg or 140 lbs, which is honestly more than most people need even for long trips. I always pack light, but it’s nice knowing you have that buffer if you go shopping.
Maharaja Club members get additional baggage allowances based on their tier status, and Star Alliance Gold members can carry an additional 20 kg in economy class. The maximum weight for any single piece is 32 kg across Air India’s entire network, which is pretty standard.
One thing that’s actually cool – infants get 10kg of checked baggage allowance across all travel classes, plus they can bring one collapsible stroller, carrycot, or infant car seat. If you’re traveling with kids, that extra allowance comes in handy.
If you need extra baggage, you can pre-purchase it online and save up to 20% compared to airport check-in fees. Trust me, always buy excess baggage online if you know you’ll need it – the airport fees are brutal.
Tips for Booking Air India Business Class Tickets
Booking Air India business class smartly can save you thousands, and I’ve learned some tricks over the years. For North American travelers, Aeroplan is your best friend since Air India is part of Star Alliance. The point costs are actually reasonable – around 90,000 Aeroplan points for business class from the West Coast to India, with pretty manageable taxes and fees.
Aeroplan transfers 1:1 from American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1 but you get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred. I usually transfer from Chase since it’s instant.
Award availability is pretty stingy though – they typically release only 1-2 business class award seats per flight. Book as early as possible, and be flexible with your dates. I’ve had better luck finding space on the newer A350 routes, probably because there are 28 business seats instead of the usual 18-20.
For cash bookings, watch for their periodic sales and book directly with Air India when possible. They sometimes offer upgrade auctions through their “Upgrade+” program where you can bid for business or first class seats. I’ve never tried it myself, but it might be worth a shot if you’re already booked in premium economy.
The key is booking early and being flexible. Air India’s transformation means their product is getting way better, but demand is increasing too. Don’t wait until the last minute – these deals disappear fast.
NOTE: Air India Business Class prices can vary based on whether you buy direct or connecting flights. Again, if you want to find the best possible deals on business class airfare, I highly recommend signing up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going.com). While the free version is great for finding discounted economy flights, the Elite version is what you’ll need to find cheap business and first class deals.
Air India Business Class Airport Experiences
The ground experience with Air India business class is honestly a mixed bag, but it’s getting better. The main Maharajah Lounge at Delhi Terminal 3 was actually closed for a complete renovation through April 2025, so hopefully it’ll be much improved when it reopens. When I used it last year, it was functional but nothing special.
At Delhi Terminal 3, the international Maharajah Lounge is located on the mezzanine floor next to the Encalm Lounge. It’s accessible for Air India business and first class passengers, Star Alliance Gold members, and Vistara business class customers. The food selection includes both Indian and international options, with things like omelettes, chicken fingers, paneer bhurji, and fresh fruit.
Air India also has a Maharajah Lounge at JFK in New York, though honestly, I’d probably use the Swiss lounge or Centurion Lounge if you have access. The Air India lounge there is pretty basic and mainly designed for their afternoon departure to Delhi.
At Heathrow, Air India doesn’t operate its own lounge, so business class passengers use Star Alliance lounges. The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in the T2B satellite is probably your best bet – it’s got good food and drinks, plus it’s usually quiet in the morning.
One thing I really appreciated was the boarding process. Air India uses two jetbridges at both London and Delhi, which makes boarding way faster and less chaotic. They also had a dedicated business class bus at Delhi when we had a remote stand – it actually had leather couches, which was pretty cool.
- Read next: Best Airport Lounges in the World
In-Flight Comfort & Amenities on Air India Business Class
The in-flight experience on the Air India A350 is honestly impressive, way better than I expected going in. The Collins Aerospace Horizon Premier suite is the same product you’ll find on Turkish Airlines A350s, with some Air India customizations like different leather colors and their IFE system. The suite feels spacious and modern, not cramped like some business class products.
Storage is actually excellent – there’s a full wardrobe, separate shoe storage, a vanity cabinet with mirror and lamp, plus a literature bin and bottle holder. I could fit my laptop, camera gear, and personal items without any issues. The IFE controller is embedded in the console, which is handy when you’re lying flat.
The entertainment screen is 21 inches and the content selection was pretty good – better than most European airlines. Wi-Fi is available on the A350s, though I haven’t tested the speed thoroughly yet. You get both USB-A ports and universal power outlets, though surprisingly no USB-C, which seems like an oversight in 2025.
The electronic window shades are a nice touch and make the cabin feel more premium. Individual air nozzles above each seat are also available, which I actually love since you can control your own temperature. The seat converts to a fully flat bed at 6’6″ long, and the footwell is genuinely spacious – I could stretch out comfortably.
All A350 flights feature new soft products including updated bedding, chinaware, tableware, and amenity kits designed by Ferragamo for business class and TUMI for premium economy. The pajamas are made from recycled materials blended with cotton, and apparently each set uses 23 recycled plastic bottles, which is pretty cool.
Food & Drink in Air India Business Class
The dining experience in Air India business class has actually improved dramatically, and I was genuinely surprised by how good it was. On my recent A350 flight, the meal service was easily one of the best domestic business class meals I’ve had in the air recently. The Indian dishes are authentic and flavorful, not the watered-down airline versions you sometimes get.
For a short two-hour domestic flight, they served rajma, aloo gobhi (roasted potatoes and cauliflower), rice, and a hot aloo paratha wrapped in foil. Even the vegan dessert – a plant-based version of Mysore Pak – was actually tasty. They also offered additional desserts like gulab jamun and lemon curd pastry.
On international flights, the meal service is more elaborate. The menu typically includes options like chicken tikka, lamb kundan kaliyan (succulent lamb in creamy saffron-enhanced tomato onion sauce), and various vegetarian dishes. The presentation is actually quite elegant with proper china and glassware.
The alcohol selection on international flights is solid. You’ll get Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut Champagne as a welcome drink, plus a decent selection of wines and spirits. I always recommend trying the masala chai – it’s way better than what most airlines serve, and feels authentic.
Air India offers a wide range of special meals that can be ordered at least 24 hours before departure, including Hindu meals, vegan options (VGML), and various religious and dietary restrictions. The Hindu meals are particularly well-done since it’s their home turf, so to speak.
One thing I noticed is the meal timing is pretty flexible. On longer flights, they’ll ask when you want to eat rather than just serving everyone at the same time, which I really appreciate.
Air India Business Class vs. Rival Products
Comparing Air India‘s new business class to competitors is actually interesting because they’re punching above their weight in some areas. Against Etihad Airways, Etihad still wins on overall luxury and refinement – their Business Studios are still considered among the world’s best. But Air India’s A350 product is competitive, especially considering the price difference.
The Collins Aerospace Horizon suite on the A350 is actually the same hard product as Turkish Airlines, and I’d honestly pick it over many European carriers. The seat is more comfortable than Singapore Airlines’ business class seat that I flew for 17 hours from Seattle, which says something about the quality.
Against Emirates, it’s not really a fair fight since Emirates focuses on ultra-luxury with their A380 suites and onboard bars. But for value, Air India offers 90% of the experience at probably 60% of the price. If you’re prioritizing the flight over the bragging rights, Air India makes sense.
Singapore Airlines still has the edge on service consistency and attention to detail. Air India’s service has improved dramatically, but it’s not quite at SQ’s level yet. However, the flight attendants on Air India are genuinely hospitable and attentive, which is a signature strength. They actually seem to care about your experience.
For domestic flights within India, Vistara (now merged with Air India) had slightly better service, but with the merger complete, those standards should be rolling out across the Air India fleet. IndiGo doesn’t really have business class, just premium seats, so it’s not comparable for longer flights.
The biggest advantage Air India has is route network. They can get you places that other premium airlines can’t, especially with direct flights to secondary Indian cities. If you value convenience over absolute luxury, they’re often the best choice.
Pros & Cons of Air India Business Class
Having flown Air India Business Class several times, I’ve noticed some clear pros and cons that might help you decide if it’s the right choice for your travels.
Pros:
The new A350 business class suites are genuinely world-class, with 1-2-1 configuration, sliding privacy doors, and fully flat beds that are 6’6″ long. I’ve flown most major airlines, and this product competes with the best of them.
The route network is expanding rapidly with new destinations like Dallas and Los Angeles planned for late 2025, plus optimized schedules on European routes. The Star Alliance benefits are solid too – you can earn and redeem miles across the network.
Value for money is excellent. You’re getting a premium product at prices that are often 30-40% less than Emirates or Etihad on similar routes. The food quality, especially Indian cuisine, is authentic and way better than most international airlines.
Cons:
Product inconsistency across the fleet is still a major issue. You might get the amazing A350 suites, decent retrofitted aircraft, or outdated legacy cabins depending on your route. Always check which aircraft type you’re flying.
Ground experience varies significantly. Some lounges are under renovation and service can be inconsistent. The Delhi airport experience, in particular, can be chaotic with multiple security checks and sometimes rude staff.
Award availability is extremely limited – typically only 1-2 business class seats released per flight. If you’re trying to book with points, you need to be flexible and book early.
Service quality, while improved, still varies between crews. Some flights have exceptional service, others feel more like the old Air India. They’re clearly in transition, so there’s still some inconsistency.
Air India Future Developments
Air India‘s future actually looks pretty exciting, and I’m genuinely optimistic about where they’re headed. They’re introducing first class cabins on the upcoming A350-1000 aircraft, scheduled for delivery in the next two years. That’ll put them back in competition with Emirates and other premium carriers for the ultra-luxury market.
The delivery timeline for new aircraft includes the first A350-1000 in 2026, Boeing 787-9s by end of 2025, and A321neos already entering service with Air India Express from April 2025. The Boeing 777X is also planned for ultra-long-haul routes like Delhi to New York and Mumbai to London, featuring cutting-edge technology and fuel efficiency.
The $400 million retrofit program is actually happening on schedule, with 16 A320neos already completed and Boeing 787s undergoing complete overhauls at Boeing’s Victorville facility. By 2027, the entire fleet should have consistent, modern interiors.
Environmental initiatives are getting serious attention too. They’ve achieved an 80% reduction in single-use plastics across their global network and completely revamped water service in economy to eliminate 500ml plastic bottles. Sustainable Aviation Fuel adoption is coming, though they haven’t announced specific timelines yet.
The revamped Maharaja Club loyalty program already has over 10.3 million members and will soon include Air India Express customers. That should make earning and redeeming points easier across their network.
What really impresses me is the speed of change. This isn’t a 10-year transformation plan – significant improvements are happening every few months. By 2026, Air India should be genuinely competitive with any airline in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Air India’s New Business Class
Are you still curious about which airline is the best to fly to India? Here are some popular questions (and answers) I get that will help you decide whether Air India’s business class is the right option for you.
What is business class like in Air India?
It depends on the aircraft type. The old Business Class, while functional, had a more traditional setup with angled lie-flat seats and a standard entertainment system. It was comfortable but didn’t quite hit the mark of modern luxury. In contrast, the new Business Class, particularly on the A350, is a whole different ball game. It’s a leap into contemporary luxury with suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring privacy with sliding doors and direct aisle access. The seats in the new cabins lie completely flat, a significant upgrade from the old angled ones. Plus, the in-flight entertainment system is state-of-the-art, with larger screens and more content choices.
Is business class on Air India worth it?
In my opinion, yes, Air India Business Class is worth it. The level of comfort, service, and the overall experience you get in Air India’s Business Class is definitely worth the investment, particularly for long-haul flights. It strikes a good balance between luxury and value. It’s a compelling choice for those who want to travel in comfort without the exorbitant price tag of some other airlines.
Does Air India provide pajamas in business class?
Yes, they do, and it’s quite a treat! Air India’s Business Class now offers TUMI loungewear, which is not just stylish but also sustainable. Each set of pajamas is made from recycled materials blended with cotton, offering softness and breathability. Interestingly, each set is crafted using 23 recycled plastic bottles.
Is Emirates better than Air India?
This is a tough one, as it really depends on what you value most in your travel. Emirates is famous for its opulence and state-of-the-art amenities, like private suites and an onboard bar. If you’re seeking the pinnacle of luxury and don’t mind the higher price, Emirates is one of the best airlines in the world. However, Air India’s new Business Class, especially on the A350, has made impressive strides. It offers a high level of comfort, excellent service, and a revamped dining experience, all at a more accessible price point. For those who prioritize value without compromising on comfort, Air India’s new offering is definitely worth considering.
Which seat is best in Air India business class?
In Air India’s new A350 Business Class, I’d personally go for the window seats if I’m flying solo, as they offer a great mix of privacy and views. For couples, the middle ‘honeymoon’ seats in even-numbered rows are perfect for enjoying the journey together. If you’d prefer solitude, the middle seats in odd-numbered rows provide ample space and privacy.
- Looking to find Air India business class deals for under $2,400 roundtrip? You’ll want to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going.com). While the free version is great for economy deals, the Elite version is what you’ll need to find cheap business and first class deals.
