Air India is set to launch its new A350-900 on its first international route, marking an exciting step in the airline’s ongoing transformation.
Beginning in May 2024, Air India will operate the A350-900 on one flight daily between Delhi and Dubai, allowing passengers to enjoy the plane’s modern interior and amenities.
Air India’s First International Route for A350-900
Air India has announced the first international route using its new A350-900, with the aircraft scheduled on one of the four daily flights between Delhi and Dubai.
The service is set to begin on May 1, 2024, and the flight times for the A350 route are as follows:
- AI995 Delhi (DEL) to Dubai (DXB), departing 8:45pm and arriving 10:45pm
- AI996 Dubai (DXB) to Delhi (DEL), departing 12:15am and arriving 4:55am
The airline began receiving the new A350-900 aircraft in January 2024 and has been operating it on familiarization flights within India since then in preparation for the international launch.
This is an exciting milestone for the airline, which continues to take delivery of a number of new aircraft with modern interiors as part of its wide-scale transformation. Later this year, it will also begin retrofitting its existing widebody fleet to modernize the cabins.
Air India’s new A350-900 features three classes of service: business class, premium economy, and economy.
The 316-seat aircraft is divided into a business class cabin with 28 private suites offering fully lie-flat seats and sliding doors, a premium economy cabin with 24 seats, and an economy cabin with 264 regular economy class seats.
The new aircraft also includes a suite of new in-flight amenities, including new entertainment options, amenity kits, crockery, bedding, and more to better align with the airline’s premium aspirations.
Seats on the new route are now open for booking through Air India’s website and all regular booking channels.
Notably, Air India becomes the only carrier to operate the A350-900 between India and Dubai.
How to Book Air India Business Class with Points
The best way for North Americans to redeem points for a seat on Air India’s new A350-900 is with Aeroplan.
Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is one of the most popular loyalty programs in Canada and the United States, with over 45 airline partners, including Air India.
Aeroplan points can easily be earned with one of the many co-branded credit cards, or by earning American Express Membership Rewards points and transferring them to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
Credit Card Best Offer Value 
85,000 Aeroplan points $858 Apply Now 
Up to 80,000 Aeroplan points† $766 Apply Now 
Up to 50,000 Aeroplan points† $683 Apply Now 
60,000 Aeroplan points $634 Apply Now 
40,000 Aeroplan points $573 Apply Now 
Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points† $525 Apply Now
A one-way flight in business class on Air India’s Delhi–Dubai route can be booked for 20,000 Aeroplan points, and an economy class seat can be booked for only 12,500 Aeroplan points.
Award availability is great throughout the schedule, with at least one seat in business class available on most dates.
With the flight between Delhi and Dubai coming in at a little over three hours, this is a great way to enjoy the brand new A350-900 and its modern amenities.
If you have a trip planned to India, consider routing through Dubai to get a taste of what to expect from Air India’s future.
It’s expected that Air India will launch the A350 on longer-haul international flights in the coming months.
Conclusion
Air India has announced the first international route for its new A350-900 aircraft.
Beginning May 1, 2024, the airline will offer daily service between Delhi and Dubai, marking another big step in its efforts to become a world-class airline once again.
With Air India scheduled to receive more new aircraft this year, there is no doubt that this is only the first of many new route announcements for the airline’s A350-900s.