• 

  Air India

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  AI/AIC

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1946

  Alliance:

  Star Alliance

  CEO:

  Campbell Wilson

  Country:

  India

  Region:

  Asia

Air India's fleet is currently undergoing a metamorphosis, from a crumbling offering to an order for up to 500 brand-new jets very soon. In between, the carrier has been inducting several leased aircraft, including 11 Boeing 777s to expand long-haul routes to North America. One of the perks of the leased aircraft is the addition of premium economy, but this cabin isn't on sale officially yet, meaning you can still snag it as a regular economy seat by selecting it earlier. Here's our guide on how to get a far more comfortable journey on your next ultra-long-haul flight with Air India.

Only on two jets currently

Air India has currently inducted two of its planned 11 777s. These are a pair of 777-200LRs, previously belonging to Delta Air Lines. These planes were refurbished in late 2019 to include all new cabins, including an industry-leading Delta One Suite and Premium Select for the bridge between business and economy. At least the first five 777s will come with premium economy, while the next six are rumored to have first class as well, meaning they are likely not being sourced from Delta's pool of 18 retirees.

VT-AEF and -AEG are the two planes flying with unmarked premium economy. They are being deployed on the following routes:

• AI179: Mumbai to San Francisco - Leaves BOM at 14:30 and lands at 17:00 (16 hour flight time)
• AI180: Leaves SFO at 21:00 and arrive at 03:10 (+2) (16 hours and 40 minutes)
• AI175: Bangalore to San Francisco - Leave BLR at 15:00 and lands at 17:40 (16 hour and 10 minutes)
• AI176: Leaves SFO at 21:00 and lands at 04:25 (+2) (17 hours and 45 minutes)

Interestingly, the 777s also fly occasional domestic rotations for repositioning purposes, usually between Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore (the three SFO origins). These schedules vary but keep an eye out if you spot a 777 flying on the 08:00 service from BLR to BOM.

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How do you book?

Booking premium economy isn't very different from selecting any seat on your flight. The easiest way to guarantee a place in premium economy is to choose it during the booking process. For reference, rows 20 to 25 and 30 are all premium economy seats but can be booked in advance, look out for the 2-4-2 layout instead of the usual 3-3-3 of economy. However, these are priced at the same as emergency exit rows, a steep ₹9,084 ($110) for all flights.

While this is expensive for seat selection undoubtedly, it is far cheaper than the usual 50-80% premium placed on premium economy seats on other airlines. Remember that you will still receive economy meals and service, so no priority boarding. However, on an ultra-long-haul flight of at least 16 hours, the premium economy seats are a game changer.

You could play the odds and try to snag the rows during check-in or at the airport, but you run the serious risk of missing out on premium economy seating on a very long flight.

Not for long

As Air India embarks on a $400 million refurbish of its 777s and 787s, and integrates Vistara's premium economy-heavy fleet, it's only a matter of time before the cabin goes officially on sale. However, this will take at least a few months, if not 2024, so act while you can to enjoy a much greater journey from North America and back!

Would you pay the fee to fly premium economy? Let us know in the comment section.