Cricket From India, joined Aug 2005, 2943 posts, RR: 7 Posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 4512 times:
OK, it seems VT-ALA and ALB will be around on the Everett ramp a bit longer. I had a long chat with AI CMD Thulasidas and while a lot of discussion points cannot be discussed here, this can. Air India expects the merger proceedings with Indian Airlines to be completed by late June, and the the first two 777-200LR's will in all probability arrive on the day the merger is formalised. These two aircraft will be deployed on BOM-JFK with the next set of aircraft being deployed on DEL-JFK.
The new livery of the airline - ALA and ALB will not be delivered in the livery they are in - a livery that will go down as AI's still born livery but a brand new one which is about to be cleared by Praful Patel. The interior fitting of the aircraft in J and Y is almost complete and the Thales AVOD IFE system has been installed. However, the F-class suites are still be installed.
So photogs - catch those two planes, because those colours are about to disappear soon and keep an eye for the new paint scheme.
Jfk777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 7411 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 4497 times:
I'm glad the 777Lr's are going home to India and not to Delta. Air India(n) needs them to be competitive, the are getting Delta and Continental nonstops from New York. These planes are deeply needed by AI for the next step in there strategic plans, nonstops to the USA should have happened with 744. United at one time(pre-9/11) was going to fly ORD to Dehli with a 744, if they could do it AI's could too.
WestWing From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2114 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 4287 times:
Cricket:
Were you able to confirm whether the story about the passenger seat manufacturer being responsible for the delays in the seat certification and/or delivery is true? Or is there a financing issue for the airframes that has not been resolved?
The best time to plant a tree is 40 years ago. The second best time is today.
Gr8Circle From Canada, joined Dec 2005, 2993 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 4049 times:
Quoting Flying Belgian (Reply 4): Very sad to hear that the colour scheme will be deeply modified...
I trully loved the one we saw on AI's first 77L.
I hope the new one will be even better !
I too, was thrilled by the "new" livery....sad to know that it's going to be stillborn.....and something tells me that the one that they finally come up with will be nowhere close to the one they're abandining.....hope I'm proved wrong
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26949 posts, RR: 83 Reply 8, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 3885 times:
Only one of the birds is in full (current) colors. The other is mostly plain (sans the rudder), so I take it they'll re-do the full colors one and then start fresh with the unfinished frame?
WestWing From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2114 posts, RR: 8 Reply 10, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 3813 times:
Stich:
From your posts on here, it is evident that you pass by KPAE often and have a first-hand view of the ramp. But relying on Matt Cawby's site one would deduce that there are actually two AI 777LRs in full colors VT-ALA (ln 610) and VT-ALB (ln 621) and VT-ALC (ln 629) is the plain one.
The best time to plant a tree is 40 years ago. The second best time is today.
Cricket From India, joined Aug 2005, 2943 posts, RR: 7 Reply 11, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 3787 times:
Quoting WestWing (Reply 3): Were you able to confirm whether the story about the passenger seat manufacturer being responsible for the delays in the seat certification and/or delivery is true?
Depends on who you believe, the fact is that the seat manufacturer was changed last minute ostensibly to 'upgrade' the service offerings on F/J seats. Incidentally, the first of AI's owned 744's has been upgraded and took its first test flight yesterday and should re-enter service next week. Don't know which tail number as yet, will find out tomorrow.
Quoting CHI787ORD (Reply 9): I hope not. If AI joins Star Alliance as predicted, AI will be the only airline in Star flying LHR-JFK.
He claims they're talking to all three alliances, but closely with two. I know what he meant, given that 9W will probably announce an alliance membership within the next few weeks.
Jaysit From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 3692 times:
Quoting Cricket (Reply 11): Incidentally, the first of AI's owned 744's has been upgraded and took its first test flight yesterday and should re-enter service next week.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26949 posts, RR: 83 Reply 14, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 3681 times:
Quoting WestWing (Reply 10): From your posts on here, it is evident that you pass by KPAE often and have a first-hand view of the ramp. But relying on Matt Cawby's site one would deduce that there are actually two AI 777LRs in full colors VT-ALA (ln 610) and VT-ALB (ln 621) and VT-ALC (ln 629) is the plain one.
Yup I drive by every morning and evening, but admit I only get a real quick view of the tarmac. I was fortunate to tour the flightline a few weekends ago and thought only one of AI's birds were in full color, but I of course defer to Matt as he has the "real scoop".
Jfk777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 7411 posts, RR: 7 Reply 15, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 3587 times:
What will happen to teh JFK-LHR part of Air India's route ? Will the service be operated from LHR to another US city or will all Air India LHR flights now go to/from India.
Gamps From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 469 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (6 years 1 month 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 3447 times:
Hate to be a conspiracy theorist - but I do wonder if AI/IA merger was used only as an excuse for the delay in taking delivery of planes (after discounting the hilarious last minute change of seats - "planes are ready, but seats are not ready")
India's current Civil Aviation minister's relationship with Jet Airways is well known and I suspect Praful Patel wanted to give Jet Airways the platform / publicity with whole rebranding / BRU hub thing. Agreed Mr.Patel as civil aviation minister has responsiblity towards all airlines in the country, but it is quite pathetic to see him openly downplaying government carriers and interfering with things like seat color / livery.
Sammyk From United States of America, joined Oct 1999, 1686 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (6 years 1 month 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 3425 times:
Quoting Gamps (Reply 18): Hate to be a conspiracy theorist - but I do wonder if AI/IA merger was used only as an excuse for the delay in taking delivery of planes (after discounting the hilarious last minute change of seats - "planes are ready, but seats are not ready")
A merger seems a bit much to simply delay delivery. They could have used a much more simpler excuse for the delay.
Karan69 From India, joined Oct 2004, 2796 posts, RR: 19 Reply 21, posted (6 years 1 month 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 3212 times:
Quoting Jfk777 (Reply 15): What will happen to teh JFK-LHR part of Air India's route ?
Quoting Himmat01 (Reply 20): AI will continue to operate on LHR-JFK. It will not give up this lucrative sector.
First even i thought this was a very lucrative sector, bt now with open skies kicking in, the yields on this route will just be diluted,
AI could use the freed up slots at LHR to operate more terminator services from cities like BLR/MAA/HYD etc... to LHR--not to mention that they already got an additional 6 weekly slot pairs at LHR from MH.
Also their intention to operate BOM-JFK and DEL-JFK, with their 772LRs.
Hiflyer From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 2123 posts, RR: 4 Reply 24, posted (6 years 1 month 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 3072 times:
I am hearing rumblings in the states regarding the ex UAL birds at Air India...VT-AIJ/AIL/AIK/AIR.... may not be around much longer....something to do with the lessor. Don't know the details...yet...grin. They are older frames with older pw motors which may indicate something.....
25 Gr8Circle: Does that mean AI will operate two daily flights to JFK?
26 Cricket: Three eventually - BOM direct, BOM 1-stop and DEL direct
27 VTNYC: Certainly can support the thrice daily, ask EK. AI hopfully will replace EK as the carrier of choice on the route. More competition, cheaper fares.
29 Karan69: Since BOM and DEL are getting their own terminators to JFK so as to speak they either might drop that 3rd flight for lucrative LHR slots or do it fro
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