Putting Air India's 787 business class to the test

Is Air India as bad as they say? The Indian flag carrier has been privatized and is in the middle of a massive turnaround effort, with new planes joining the fleet, new seats and soft product being introduced, and an entire company culture in the midst of major change. Or so we're told.
When I found an incredible business class fare from Copenhagen to Delhi (operated by their workhorse 787 Dreamliner) everyone warned me that I would not be impressed by what I found - even if Air India is now making an effort to become a much better airline. What did I find? Watch to find out!
Flight information:
August 28, 2024 | AI158 CPH-DEL
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANE [age: 10 years]
Flight time: 6h58m
Business class | seat 3J
How I booked it:
I booked this roundtrip fare for just $865.64 roundtrip in cash.
I was tipped off to this fare via the Luxury Flight Club. Sign up for email alerts here: luxuryflightcl...
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Shot on Sony FX3, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and DJI Action 2
SECTIONS:
00:00 Intro
#AirIndia #787 #businessclass

[@airedition]

Have you had similar experiences with Air India lately? I would be really curious to know!

[@k9killer221]

It's amazing to me that B787's can have dated interiors, to me it seems like yesterday when they first came out. But when I check, they entered service initially in 2011.

[@airedition]

Yeah. Well to be fair these interiors were pretty dated already even ten years ago. A couple of airlines put in seats like these on its 787s, LOT included. Most are now getting around to (soon) upgrading. The wear and tear on these decade-old 787s, on the other hand, is pretty surprising (the window dimming buttons especially!)

[@k9killer221]

@@airedition Oh, OK. They weren't exactly state of the art even when brand new.

[@flybyanuj]

Love your content Gabe. I honestly love how your criticism is constructive and subtle.

[@airedition]

Thank you very much!

[@Ian-Gould]

Excellent review again Mr LeiGh 👍🏿

[@philliproberts5594]

Another great video Gabe..you 're in a different league to most of the other aviation vloggers. Well done..keep it up. 👍

[@stuartjgarland]

Those 787 look very old, it'll be interesting to see the makeover of them, they even look rough outside. It's great to see them make a change but the change of interiors will be interesting

[@Bo3amrah]

A very honest review. I love your calm during the flight to assure the most realistic conclusion 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@airedition]

Thank you! 👍

[@theretiredcoupletravelsthe5603]

Thanks Gabe for the nice report! We flew with Air India last year CPH-DEL- MEL. The crew was supernice but the interior of the Aircrafts was not so good, especially the one from CPH-DEL. Perhaps not best presentation of the food in Economy but it was delicious so no complains about that. I believe the refurbishing of the old aircrafts takes longer than initially anticipated. I think and I hope that Air India will succeed to be a great airline again!

[@airedition]

Thanks that’s interesting to hear. Yeah the refurbishment of these can’t come soon enough. I believe it’s due to come in 2025 for the 787s.

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Have Experiences Similar Seats Whit Kenya Airways B787-8.Great Video And Info

[@airedition]

Nice! I need to give them a try.

[@Utkarshdthakkar]

Waiting to see your experience in IndiGo

[@JohnLadda]

Oh kanelbulle for breakfast ❤

[@Michael-ru3rt]

Haven't flown AI so far but have been to India a couple of times in past years, flights were with LH or EK. Your report looks promising in terms of food and service. Once they are done with cabin refurbishment I might give it a try. You might want to share some experience about Delhi's (relatively) new terminal? I found it tidy and really spacious, lots of lanes for immigration and security with efficient processing. Shopping experience is certainly better elsewhere.

[@MusicAvi8Tr]

These Biz seats might look old and lack privacy but honestly I've had the "best" sleep using these seats on other carriers that have them and partly due to no footwell constraints! Which I think is why I like Korean Air or Gulf Fair J seats as a compromise with privacy, legroom and no footwells!

[@martinvareed8756]

That was a nice trip details brother....yes indeed..AI has been doing a lot to get back to its roots of maharajah days..with new airframes on the way, things would definitely look up well. ,,i have had good experience with the soft product and the hard product too......thanks again...

[@airedition]

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing them continue to improve.

[@serafinlopez2290]

Great video Gabe

[@airedition]

Thank you!

[@glennkamers]

I just travelled Air India from Europe to Delhi. Business Class and Economy and they still have a long way to go. Soft product is fine but the hard product in their 787's needs a refresh. On the way back in economy none of the IFE's were working. The meals were terrible. The tray tables were all wonky and the seats were very uncomfortable.

[@mkkm945]

They have ordered new seats. Were supposed to be delivered mid 2024 but latest news says early 2025. Can't come soon enough. Once the product is right, I think AI will become a solid choice.

[@airedition]

Interesting to hear, thanks!

[@khalidansari6013]

I think you Should wait for 2025 for more better flying experience in Air India 787 or you should try the new a350 while going back or" try Delhi London air india flight with a350"

[@phuongnhuha]

Do you know the tentative timeline for their B787 refresh? I'm looking to book an award flight with them next summer but have always been hesitant due to popular reviews of Air India in general. Thanks in advance.!

[@airedition]

I heard next spring for refurbishment of the 787 but you never know!

[@Manav-r4w]

Try to get their A350 or the leased 777 from Delta/Etihad. Dont go on anything else including the 787. It’ll be refurbed probably spring or more likely summer 2025

[@phuongnhuha]

@@Manav-r4w Oh how I wish A350 was going on my route. DC only gets 787 so far. Apparently they are adding 777-200LR for the peak holiday and will replace 787 with 777-300ER afterwards...but from what I can see, even with the 777, it's still a hit or miss.

[@Ksandur]

Air India's livery truly didn't age well. The planes look much older than they are. A fresh in and exterior (and perhaps some better cleaning) will make a big change!

[@harshmarwah4508]

Aren’t you the same person for flight radar 24.

[@airedition]

That’s me!

[@harshmarwah4508]

@@airedition are you in Delhi right now

[@airedition]

@@harshmarwah4508no this flight was taken in August. You can always check the flight info including date in the description.

[@norwayspotter26]

He is slowly becoming Sam Chui

[@airedition]

What do you mean by that?

[@MrFredericandre]

Not Sam Chui at all lol. Fortunately.