In 2023, Air India and other airlines will face increased rivalry on some US-India routes for premium economy passengers, which offers travel that is more comfortable than economy class and less expensive than business class flights. In a recent press release announcing the leasing of five wide-body aircraft for planned flights between India and the US, Air India made a suggestion on the introduction of Premium Economy service. Currently, premium economy flights to and from India are run by United Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, and Air France.
The introduction of Premium Economy by Air India is long overdue since hints of its introduction on a few well-traveled long-distance routes came in the Air India news in 2015. Although it was first offered by Eva Air back in 1991 as a mid-range travel option between business and economy, Premium Economy really took off during the Great Recession (2007–2009), when ticket sales of business class flights on international airlines hit a pitiful low. Premium economy seats are reportedly 60% less expensive than business class seats on average, yet the same ticket is around 60% more expensive than regular economy class rates.
Five B777-200LRs will reportedly be modified with Air India’s Premium Economy cabin before being added to the airline’s fleet between December 2022 and March 2023. This is one of the 30 brand-new planes that the carrier has leased in order to expand its fleet and its global reach over the next 15 months. As of right now, only Air Vistara, a sister company of Air India, offers premium economy on both international and domestic flights. According to Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, “These new aircraft, along with older aircraft being returned to service, fulfill an immediate demand for increased capacity and connectivity, and signal a strong step forward.”
According to a press statement, some of the non stop flights from USA to India and from India to the USA will use the five new B777-200LR aircraft. As CEO Campbell Wilson noted, “Air India has exciting expansion and renewal plans, of which these new aircraft are just the beginning,” the company hinted at its plans to begin nonstop flights from Mumbai to San Francisco and New York JFK, as well as to resume nonstop service from SFO to Bengaluru and cheap flights from Newark to India, specifically Mumbai. There will be three weekly premium economy flights from San Francisco to Kempegowda Airport, Bangaluru.
Emirates Airlines made the decision to start flying its flagship A380, the largest passenger plane in the world, to New York and San Francisco in December 2022 and February 2023, respectively, early this month. Given this, it is not a coincidence that Air India aims to introduce premium economy seats with more legroom and better reclining. London, Paris, and Sydney are already served by Emirates’ Premium Economy. Emirates’ Premium Economy is a haven of luxury and comfort, meticulously designed to provide a signature experience on board.
On March 25, 2023, United Airlines’ frequently delayed nonstop service between San Francisco and Bangaluru will finally launch. For premium economy flights from the United States to India on airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, and some more, Tripbeam has the greatest offers.
