Air India receives its fifth Boeing 777-200LR

National carrier Air India took delivery of its fifth Boeing 777-200LR aircraft in Seattle on March 3, 2008. The aircraft has been christened 'Haryana', in keeping with Air India's policy of naming its B777 fleet after the states of India. The four aircraft received earlier have been named Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and Gujarat and have been deployed to operate non-stop services between Mumbai-New York and Delhi-New York. Air India was the first to commence non-stop services to New York out of India, in August last year.

The B777-200LRs are equipped with all modern passenger amenities like flat beds in First and Executive Class and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system offering a wide choice of programmes. A unique feature of this aircraft is a nose wheel camera which allows a passenger to see the aircraft taxiing and taking off while he is seated inside the aircraft. The 238-seater aircraft will have eight seats in First Class, 35 seats in Executive Class and 195 seats in Economy Class.

First Class

The First Class cabin with 8 seats has been designed to offer the passenger comfort and luxury with exclusivity. Each First Class seat is 23 inches wide, with a seat pitch of 80 inches and can be transformed into a fully horizontal flat bed, 77 inches long and 31 inches wide. A buddy seat has been provided, for those wishing to hold a face-to-face discussion with a colleague on board. In a departure from the conventional fixed meal timings, a passenger travelling First Class will have the facility of convenio service i.e. meals at times preferred by a passenger.

Executive Class

Like the First Class, the 35-seat Executive Class cabin too is spacious and has comfortable seats. Each seat is 19.5 inches wide with a seat pitch of 76 inches and has the facility of transforming into a 72-inch long flat bed. A divider resembling a Japanese fan has been provided between seats for privacy. First Class and Executive Class passengers receive Pierre Cardin designer nightwear as complimentaries.

Economy Class

The Economy Class also offers enhanced service and comfort levels. Each seat is ergonomically designed and has a therapeutic footrest installed in front for added comfort during long haul travel.

Mood lighting

The entire aircraft cabin has the facility of mood lighting in soft shades of mauve, green, pink to soothe and relax passengers.

Inflight entertainment

On offer is a wide choice of programmes from over 250 hours of video and 150 hours of audio programming. In the First Class, video programmes can be viewed on a 23-inch monitor, in Executive Class on a 15-inch monitor and in Economy Class on a 10.4-inch monitor. Enhancing the listening experience is a set of hi-fi Bose headphones.

Air India had ordered 8 Boeing 777-200LR aircraft and the remaining three aircraft will be delivered in mid 2009. Other aircraft that form part of the 68 aircraft order placed in 2005 are 15 B777-300ER, 27 B787 Dreamliners and 18 B737-800. Apart from the Boeing aircraft, the merged Air India also has 43 Airbus aircraft on order -- 20 A321, 19 A319 and 4 A320 -- twelve of which have already been inducted.