Air India has introduced a new multi-course fine dining service for Business Class passengers on long-haul and ultra-long-haul international flights, replacing traditional tray-based meal presentations with a restaurant-style dining format.
The enhanced service has initially launched on flights between India and the United Kingdom, covering London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Birmingham. Air India plans to progressively extend the experience across its international network using Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
Restaurant-Style Dining Introduced in Business Class
The new service introduces individually plated courses, linen-covered tables and dedicated tableware for appetisers, main courses and desserts.
Rather than presenting the meal together on a conventional tray, cabin crew will serve dishes course by course, allowing passengers to dine at a more relaxed pace.
The format also places greater emphasis on personalised service and flexibility, with passengers able to engage with the dining experience according to their preferences.
The changes are designed specifically for longer international journeys, where onboard meal service forms an important part of the premium cabin experience.
Air India Begins Rollout on India–UK Routes
Air India has introduced the enhanced dining experience on services connecting India with three UK airports: Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham.
The airline plans a phased expansion across its long-haul and ultra-long-haul network, including services operated by its Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
The announcement does not specify a completion date for the wider rollout.
Vista Verve Tableware Receives a New Design
Alongside the revised meal service, Air India has introduced a bespoke tableware collection under its Vista Verve service identity.
The collection includes separate plates for appetisers, main courses, snacks, desserts and cheese, together with a signature glass and a specially designed espresso cup.
A distinctive addition is the Martaban-shaped cruet set, inspired by traditional Indian storage jars associated with preserving food and family recipes.
The design incorporates an element of Indian culinary heritage into the airline’s contemporary inflight dining presentation.
Air India Links Dining Changes to Premium Service Transformation
Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India, said:
“The introduction of our fine dining-style, course-by-course meal service in Business Class is another step in our broader Air India transformation journey.”
Dogra said the initiative aims to improve onboard hospitality through presentation, service design and personalisation while retaining elements of Indian hospitality.
Part of Wider Cabin and Service Upgrades
The dining changes follow Air India’s investments in revised food and beverage menus, wine selections, tea offerings and premium service improvements.
These initiatives accompany the airline’s fleet modernisation programme, including new Airbus A350 aircraft, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners configured for Air India and cabin retrofits across its existing single-aisle and twin-aisle fleet.
The phased introduction of restaurant-style dining adds another element to the airline’s efforts to standardise and improve its premium international passenger experience.
