The Tata Group-owned Air India has become the first airline to have an Airbus A350 in its fleet. The company welcomed India”s first ever Airbus A350 registered as VT-JRA as it continues its transformation, the company said in a media statement.

Initially, the aircraft will conduct commercial operations domestically for crew familiarization, and later on, it will fly international passengers to long-haul destinations. The carrier will embark on its journey in January 2024.

“This moment marks a red-letter day for all of us at Air India. The A350 is not just metal and engines; it’s the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airline’s continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks. It is also, in many ways, a declaration of Indian aviation’s resurgence on the world stage,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, in the statement.

The Airbus A350-900 gets a three-class cabin configuration encompassing 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace, which include 28 private business class suites, 24 premium economy seats, and 264 economy class seats. All seats will have the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens, the company said.

Air India has ordered 20 Airbus A350-900, of which five or more will be available for deliveries through March 2024. Air India is planning to induct a total of six A350 planes in the first phase. The company has also ordered 20 A350-1000s.

“Thereafter, we will be operating short sectors for a few months so that we can familiarize our pilots with the new aircraft under the tutelage of experienced instructors and to build a pool sufficient to support long-hail A350 operations later in the year,” Wilson said.

Air India on Saturday unveiled the uniforms for cabin crew and pilots, designed by ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra.