Air India is India's national airline and the first to have a network including international destinations. The airline operates more than 20 routes around the world and services more than 100 destinations through its codeshare agreements.
Identity Card
- IATA code: AI
- Number of serviced cities: 24 destinations
- Main hub: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
- Alliance: Star Alliance
- Fleet: 35 aircraft
- Loyalty rewards program: Flying Returns
History of Air India
In 1932 Air India was founded under the name Tata Airlines. The first official flight took place in October of that year from Karachi to Bombay carrying mail. During the Second World War, air service was delayed but picked up right where it left off once it ended. The airline’s name changed in 1948 to Air India and was owned for a time by the government of India. The airline’s first long haul international flight flew from Bombay to London, also in 1948. In the 1950s Air India added international routes to its network. Now it was possible to fly from India to destinations like Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. In the 1960s the airline began changing its fleet to suite the new and popular jet era. A new route is added in 1960 to New York City. In 1962 Air India was the world’s first all-jet airline.
In the 1970s and the 1980s Air India introduced a new livery and continued to improve their fleet by adding Boeing aircraft and Airbuses. In 1993 Air India operated the first ever flight between Delhi and New York City. Three years later, Chicago’s O’Hare Airport was added as a destination. In celebration of International Women’s Day in 2004, Air India operated an all-women flight from Mumbai to Singapore. The aircraft was piloted by the airline’s first female pilot and even the flight’s dispatch was received by a female flight dispatcher. This same year, the airline launched its own low cost airline named Air India Express which connects cities in the Middle East and South Asia to India. In 2009 Frankfurt was designated as the European hub.
Travel with Air India: practical information
Onboard Services
- Meals: Hot meals are provided on all of Air India’s flights. The airline can accommodate more than 20 different meal-types including those for special diets and religious diets. Book your meal at least 48 hours before departure.
- Entertainment: Air India has a few entertainment possibilities for its passengers. There are on-demand films in first class and films screened communally in Economy. Head sets are provided.
Baggage Allowances
- Cabin: Hand luggage must not exceed the dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm and cannot weigh more than 8 kg.
- Checked: On all international flights (except USA and Canada) there is a baggage allowance of 20 kg. On domestic flights the allowance is 30 kg. On flights to and from the USA and Canada, 2 pieces are permitted weighing each 23 kg.
- Excess: If a piece of luggage exceeds the weight allowance a fee of 1.5% of the highest normal one way Economy class fare is charged per kilo.
Discounts and Special Offers
Visit liligo.com’s flight section to find all of Air India’s latest special offers.
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