Air India Introduces Restaurant-Style Dining on Long-Haul Business Class Flights
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Air India has introduced restaurant-style dining in Business Class on select long-haul international flights, offering passengers individually plated courses and more personalized service. The new dining experience launched on flights between India and the United Kingdom, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Birmingham.
Multicourse Dining Brings Personalized Service to Business Class
Under the new format, cabin crew serve appetizers, main courses, and desserts separately rather than presenting the entire meal on a traditional tray. Passengers dine on linen-covered tables with dedicated tableware for each course, bringing a restaurant-style approach to the Business Class cabin.
The carrier plans to progressively expand the service to additional international routes operated by its Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
Designed for long-haul and ultra-long-haul journeys, the service allows passengers to enjoy their meals at a more leisurely pace. The format also gives cabin crew more opportunities to personalize the experience while offering passengers greater flexibility based on their individual preferences. Air India aims to create a more refined dining experience through the pacing of each course, its presentation, and the attention passengers receive throughout the meal.
The changes go beyond a traditional menu refresh. By changing how cabin crew present and serve meals, Air India places greater emphasis on the overall dining experience. The approach also brings the airline closer to the restaurant-style dining models offered by other international premium carriers, where meal service helps differentiate the onboard product.
Air India Chief Customer Experience Officer Rajesh Dogra connected the announcement to the airline’s broader transformation. “At Air India, we are continually reimagining every aspect of the customer experience,” Dogra said. He emphasized the airline’s commitment to meeting international premium travel expectations while maintaining its connection to Indian hospitality.
New Tableware Highlights Indian Heritage
A new collection of bespoke tableware complements the dining format and enhances Air India’s Vista Verve onboard service. The collection includes dedicated plates for appetizers, main courses, snacks, desserts, and cheese, along with a signature glass and a specially designed espresso cup.
The new pieces incorporate Indian design and craftsmanship into the airline’s table setting. Each item supports a different part of the meal, while the glassware and espresso cup extend the refreshed presentation to beverages and after-dinner service.
Among the additions, a Martaban-inspired cruet set takes its design from traditional jars used in Indian homes to preserve food, flavors, and family recipes across generations. The airline has adapted the familiar design for its onboard service, bringing an element of Indian culinary heritage to the Business Class table setting while creating a signature piece for its premium dining experience.
The announcement builds on several improvements to Air India’s premium food and beverage offerings. The carrier has refreshed its menus, introduced an award-winning wine selection, and enhanced its tea offerings as part of its efforts to upgrade long-haul service.
Beyond its inflight service enhancements, Air India continues its broader fleet transformation with the introduction of new Airbus A350 aircraft and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners designed specifically for the airline. The carrier is also retrofitting its existing single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft with updated cabins and interiors to deliver a more consistent premium experience across its international network.