Air India: Difference between revisions

| ICAO = AIC<ref name="chavprofile" />

| callsign = AIR INDIA<ref>{{cite web report| url=http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340_2F_Bsc_w_Chgs_1-3_Contractions.pdf | title=7340.2F with Change 1 and Change 2 and Change 3 | workpublisher=[[Federal Aviation Administration]] | date=15 September 2016 | access-date=30 January 2017 | pages=3–1–11 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203160048/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7340_2F_Bsc_w_Chgs_1-3_Contractions.pdf | archive-date=3 February 2017 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

| hubs = [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]] <small>(Delhi)</small>

| secondary_hubs = [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]] <small>(Mumbai)</small>

*[[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport|Ahmedabad]] <small>(Ahmedabad)</small>

*[[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]] <small>(Bangalore)</small>

*[[Netaji Subhas Chandra BoseChennai International Airport|Kolkata]] <small>(Chennai)</small>

*[[ChennaiRajiv Gandhi International Airport|Chennai]] <small>(Hyderabad)</small>

*[[Rajiv GandhiCochin International Airport|Hyderabad]] <small>(Kochi)</small>

*[[CochinNetaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kochi]] <small>(Kolkata)</small>

*[[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport|Thiruvananthapuram]] <small>(Thiruvananthapuram)</small>

| fleet_size = [[Air India fleet|129]] (excl. subsidiaries)

| destinations = [[List of Air India destinations|84]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/AI | title=Air India on ch-aviation.com | website=ch-aviation.com | access-date= 16 December 2023}}</ref>

| revenue = {{Increase}}{{INRConvert| 31377 |c}} (FY 2022-23)<ref name="Air India 2022">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-indias-losses-up-by-18-per-cent-in-fy23-revenues-double/article67473586.ece |title=Air India's losses up by 18 per cent in FY23; revenues double |date=30 October 2023 |worknewspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 BudinessDecember Line2023}}</ref>

The airline was founded by [[J. R. D. Tata]] as Tata Airlines in 1932; Tata himself flew its first single-engine [[de Havilland Puss Moth]], carrying [[air mail]] from [[Karachi]]'s [[Jinnah International Airport|Drigh Road AerodromeKarachi]] to Bombay's [[Juhu aerodrome]] and later continuing to [[Chennai airport|Madras]] (currently [[Chennai]]). After World War II, it became a [[public limited company]] and was renamed as ''Air India''. On 21 February 1960, it took delivery of its first [[Boeing 707]] named ''Gauri Shankar'' and became the first Asian airline to induct a jet aircraft in its fleet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|title=Air India : The History of The Aircraft Fleet|publisher=airwhiners.net|access-date=15 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724221328/http://www.airwhiners.net/whine_cheez/20040726.htm|archive-date=24 July 2016}}</ref> In 2000 and 2001-01, attempts were made to privatise Air India and from 2006 onwards, it suffered losses after its merger with [[Indian Airlines]]. Another privatisationprivatization attempt was launched in 2017, which concluded with ownership of the airline and associated properties reverting to Tata group in 2022.

Air India also operates flights to domestic and Asian destinations through its subsidiary [[Air India Express]]. Air India operates a mix of [[narrow body aircraft]] such as the [[Airbus A320 family]] and [[Boeing 737]] used for most domestic and short haul international routes and [[wide body aircraft]] such as the [[Airbus A350]], [[Boeing 777]] and [[Boeing 787]] aircraft for long haul international routes. Air India's mascot is ''the [[Maharajah]]'' (Emperor) and the erstwhile logo consisted of a flying swan with the [[Konark Sun Temple|wheel of Konark]] inside it, before being replaced by a new logo inspired by the airline's signature ''[[Jharokha'']] window pattern in 2023.

====Later Asyears Air India=(2000–2022)===

[[File:BoeingCaribjet 707-437,(Air Air-India) Airbus AN2227437A310-300 Durand.jpg|thumb|Air India became[[Airbus theA310-300]]. firstIt Asiansold carrierthree toA300s inductin aMarch jet2009 aircraft,due withto the [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-420]] ''Gauri Shankar''.debts]]

In 2000–01, attempts were made to re-privatize Air India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1523153.stm|publisher=[[BBC]]|title=India privatisation plans near 'collapse'|date=3 September 2001|access-date=23 April 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917044635/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1523153.stm|archive-date=17 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1522947.stm|title=Tata still eyeing Air India|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=3 September 2001|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307070337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1522947.stm|archive-date=7 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://hindu.com/2001/09/02/stories/01020003.htm|title=Singapore Airlines pulls out|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2 September 2001|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213170559/http://hindu.com/2001/09/02/stories/01020003.htm|archive-date=13 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Timmons|first=Heather|title=Criticism of State-Owned Air India Grows|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/business/global/26airindia.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=20 May 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=25 May 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529221711/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/business/global/26airindia.html?pagewanted=all|archive-date=29 May 2011}}</ref> In 2000, Air India introduced services to Shanghai, China. On 23 May 2001, the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] charged Michael Mascarenhas, the then-managing director, with corruption. According to the ministry reports, the airline lost approximately {{INRConvert|570|m}} because of extra commissions that Mascarenhas sanctioned and he was later suspended from the airline.<ref>{{cite news|last=Katakam|first=Anupama|title=Controversy in the air|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1812/18121000.htm|work=[[The Hindu|Frontline]]|date=21 April 2014|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> In May 2004, Air India launched a wholly owned [[low cost airline|urllow cost subsidiary]] called [[Air-statusIndia Express]] connecting cities in India with the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Until 2007, Air India mainly operated on international long-haul routes while Indian Airlines operated on domestic and international short-haul routes. In 2007, Air India and Indian Airlines were merged under [[Air India Limited]]<ref>{{cite web|title=liveNational Aviation Company of India Limited|archive-url=httpshttp://webmmd.archiveairindia.orgco.in/webaimmd/20180303130932tender/Integrity_Pact_brief.pdf|archiveurl=http://www.frontlinewebcitation.org/6G1QZJ2YV?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmmd.airindia.co.in%2Faimmd%2Ftender%2FIntegrity_Pact_brief.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2013|publisher=Air India|access-date=18 February 2013|deadurl=no|df=dmy }}</staticref> and the airline took delivery of its first [[Boeing 777]] aircraft.<ref name="Timeline"/html> The airline was invited to be a part of the Star Alliance in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Star Alliance invites Air India to join|url=http:/fl1812/18121000articles.htmeconomictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-12-13/news/27673381_1_air-india-formal-invitation-thulasidas|archiveaccess-date=323 March 20182014|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=13 December 2007}}</ref>

The key trends for Air India are (as of the financial year ending 31 March):

| style="text-align:left;" |Revenue{{Efn|Standalone "total revenue"}} (₹b)<ref name=":5">{{Cite web report|title=Air India: financial performance 2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587955/financial-performance-air-india/ |access-date=2023-11-20 November 2023|websitepublisher=Statista |language=en}}</ref>

| style="text-align:left;" |Net profit{{Efn|Standalone "loss"}} (₹b)<ref name=":5" />

| style="text-align:left;" |Number of passengers{{Efn|"No. of Passenger Carried (Total)"}} (m)

| style="text-align:left;" |Passenger load factor (%)

| style="text-align:left;" |Freight carried (000 tonnes)

| style="text-align:left;" |Fleet size<ref>{{Cite web report|title=Air India Ltd.: number of airplanes |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1189850/air-india-number-of-airplanes/ |access-date=2023-11-20 November 2023|websitepublisher=Statista |language=en}}</ref>

| style="text-align:left;" |<small>References</small>

|<ref name=":6">{{Cite web report|title=Air India Annual Report 16-17 |url=https://www.bseindia.com/bseplus/AnnualReport/946631/9466310317.pdf |access-date=20 November 20, 2023 |websitepublisher=bseindia.comBSE}}</ref>

|<ref>{{Cite web report|title=Air India: passenger traffic by segment |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587911/passenger-traffic-by-segment-air-india/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |websitepublisher=Statista |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Air India: freight traffic by segment 2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/587943/freight-operations-by-segment-air-india/ |access-date=2023-11-20 November 2023|websitepublisher=Statista |language=en}}</ref>

|<ref name=":7">{{Cite web report|title=Air India Annual Report 19-20 |url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2019-20.pdf |access-date=20 November 20, 2023 |websitepublisher=Air India}}</ref>

|<ref>{{Cite web report|title=Air India Annual Report 20-21 |url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2020-21.pdf |access-date=20 November 20, 2023 |websitepublisher=Air India}}</ref>

|<ref>{{Cite web report|title=Air India Annual Report 21-22 |url=https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/image/company-information/air-india-annual-report-2021-22.pdf |access-date=20 November 20, 2023 |websitepublisher=Air India}}</ref>

In FY23 the net loss was ₹113 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-10 |title=Tata airlines lose Rs 15,532 cr in FY 23 |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/tata-airlines-lose-rs-15532-cr-in-fy-23/articleshow/102606482.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

{{Multiple image|direction = vertical|image1=Air-India-building.jpg|caption1=[[Air India Building]] in Mumbai served as Air India's headquarters until 2013.|image2 = Air india maharajah.jpg|caption2=The Maharajah, Air India's mascot|image3=|caption3=Air India logo from 1940–2007|image4=Air India.svg|caption4=Former Air India logo between 2007–2023}}

Air India Limited is headquartered at the Indian Airlines House, New Delhi.<ref name="Air India building">{{cite news|title=Air India vacates Nariman Point; moves headquarters to Delhi|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-02-15/news/37100980_1_air-india-nariman-point-moves-headquarters|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=16 February 2013|first=Anindya|last=Upadhyay|date=15 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/board-of-directors.htm|title=Air India, Board of directors|publisher=Air India|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030054518/http://www.airindia.in/board-of-directors.htm|archive-date=30 October 2015}}</ref> Air India moved its headquarters from [[Air India Building]], [[Mumbai]] to Delhi in 2013. The former headquarters is a 23-story tower on [[Marine Drive, Mumbai|Marine Drive]] and was one of the targets of the [[1993 Bombay bombings]].<ref name="Air India building" /><ref name="bbc-19930312">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/12/newsid_4272000/4272943.stm|title=Bombay hit by devastating bombs|publisher=BBC|date=12 March 1993|access-date=3 September 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211202614/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/12/newsid_4272000/4272943.stm|archive-date=11 December 2008}}</ref> AirIn India2023, alsoAir maintainsIndia amoved corporateits officeheadquarters onto [[Lexington AvenueGurugram]] in the [[Manhattan]]National asCapital well as numerous cargo offices worldwideRegion]].<ref>{{cite web news|url=https://www.airindiadeccanherald.incom/business/companies/officesmerged-worldwide.htm air-india-express-finds-new-hq-in-gurugram-2772401|title=Merged OfficesAir WorldwideIndia -Express Airfinds new HQ India|website=airindia.in Gurugram|access-date=616 JuneNovember 2022}}{{SemiBareRefNeedsTitle2023|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|access-date=July1 December 20222023}}</ref>

{{MainFurther|Air India Express}}

Air India became the first Asian airline to operate freighters when ''Air India Cargo'' was set up in 1954 and started its freighter operations with a [[Douglas DC-3]] aircraft.<ref name="Timeline"/> Air India Cargo ended freighter aircraft operations in early 2012.<ref>{{Citecite news|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/air-india-shuts-down-cargo-business/story/21477.html|title=Air India shuts down bleeding cargo business|newspaper=[[Business Today (business magazine)|Business Today]] |last1=Singh|first1=Sanjay|place=New Delhi|date=7 January 2012|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref>

It was renamed back to Alliance Air in 2017. The airlineand ceased being a subsidiary of Air India in April 2022 when the Government of India sold Air India to the TatasTata group.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alliance Air no longer subsidiary of Air India; moves to own website, flight code |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/alliance-air-no-longer-subsidiary-of-air-india-moves-to-own-website-flight-code-101650028436555.html |access-date=20 April 2022 |worknewspaper=[[Hindustan Times ]]|date=15 April 2022 |languageaccess-date=en1 December 2023}}</ref>

Air India's mascot is ''the [[Maharaja]]h'' (''[[high king]]'').<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/red-hot/The-Wonderful-Journey-Of-Air-Indias-Maharajah/quickstirshow/41855576.cms|title=The Wonderful Journey of Air India's Maharajah|date=6 September 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130160404/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/red-hot/The-Wonderful-Journey-Of-Air-Indias-Maharajah/quickstirshow/41855576.cms|archive-date=30 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Maharaja">{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/the-air-india-brand.htm|title=Air India Brand|publisher=Air India|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104025811/http://www.airindia.in/the-air-india-brand.htm|archive-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> It was created by Bobby Kooka, the then-commercial director of Air India, and Umesh Rao, an artist with J. Walter Thompson Limited in 1946.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharajah, gets a makeover|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|last1=Sinha|first1=Saurabh|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 January 2015|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210020922/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref> Kooka stated that, "We call him a Maharajah for want of a better description. But his blood isn't blue. He may look like royalty, but he isn't royal".<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Modi reportedly wants Air India's mascot, The Maharajah, replaced by a plebeian one|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/PM-Modi-reportedly-wants-Air-Indias-mascot-The-Maharajah-replaced-by-a-plebeian-one/articleshow/37097790.cms|date=24 June 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123231633/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/PM-Modi-reportedly-wants-Air-Indias-mascot-The-Maharajah-replaced-by-a-plebeian-one/articleshow/37097790.cms|archive-date=23 January 2015}}</ref> Air India adopted the Maharajah as its mascot in 1946. It was used in promoting it although initially designed only for the airline's memo-pads.<ref>{{cite news|title=When did the Maharaja become Air-India's mascot|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/When-did-the-Maharaja-become-Air-Indias-mascot/articleshow/1110592.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=15 May 2005|last1=Rao|first1=Sunil|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303130933/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/When-did-the-Maharaja-become-Air-Indias-mascot/articleshow/1110592.cms|archive-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> The Maharajah was given a makeover in 2015 and the brand is represented by a younger version.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|title=Maharajah gets a makeover|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 January 2015|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210020922/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Air-Indias-Maharajah-gets-a-makeover/articleshow/45926691.cms|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref> In 2023, the Maharajah was given a subtle makeover, but itand was revealed that the mascot would only be used in certain aspects of the airline, like the premium lounges and crockery.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharaja takes a back seat in Tata's Air India|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/business/india-business/maharaja-takes-a-back-seat-in-tatas-air-india/articleshow/102626522.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 August 2023|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

The first logo of Air India was a [[centaur]], a stylised version of [[Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]] shooting an arrow in a circle representing the [[Konark temple|wheel of Konark]]. The logo chosen by founder J. R. D. Tata was introduced in 1948 and represented the airline until 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spellbrand.com/airlines-logos-with-flying-colors|title=Airlines logos with colors|date=13 July 2010 |publisher=spellbrand.com|access-date=5 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124002453/http://www.spellbrand.com/airlines-logos-with-flying-colors|archive-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> On 22 May 2007, Air India and Indian Airlines unveiled their new livery consisting of a Flying Swan with the wheel of Konark placed inside it. The flying swan was morphed from the centaur logo and the chakra was derived from Indian's erstwhile logo.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-air-india-to-get-new-livery-following-indian-airlines-merger-214180/|date=23 May 2007|title=Air India to get a new logo|work=FlightGlobal|access-date=4 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123190026/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-air-india-to-get-new-livery-following-indian-airlines-merger-214180/|archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> On 15 May 2007, Air India refreshed its livery, making the Rajasthani arches along the windows slightly smaller, extending a stylised line from the tail of the aircraft to the nose and painting the underbelly red. The new logo features on the tail and the engine covers with red and orange lines running parallel to each other from the front door to the rear door.<ref name="Maharaja"/>

After the airline's acquisition by the Tata Group reports began emerging that the Group was looking to give the airline a complete makeover. Later in December 2022, the airline ropedrevealed inits London-basedbrand [[FutureBrandnew UXUS|Futurebrands]]logo toand drawlivery aon rebranding10 strategyAugust 2023.<ref>{{Citecite news |last=Majumder |first=Arindam |date=2 December 2022 |title=Air India to get a brand makeover, London based consultancy firm roped in |worknewspaper=[[The Economic Times ]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-get-a-brand-makeover/articleshow/95921330.cms?from=mdr |access-date=10 August 2023 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite webcite news|date=29 June 2023 |title=Air India to get brand makeover |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/brandwagon-air-india-to-get-brand-makeover-3147235/ |access-date=10 August 2023 |websitenewspaper=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref> OnThe 10new Augustlivery 2023features thea airlinepalette revealedof itsdeep brandred, aubergine, and gold with [[chakra]] pattern and the new logo, liveryis andinspired hardby productthe forairline's its[[Jharokha]] aircraftwindow pattern.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/et-al-express-trending/air-india-overhauls-its-identity-heres-whats-changed-8887337/|title=Air India Overhauls Its Identity: Here’s What’s Changed|date=11 August 2023|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

Air India builtmaintained a collection of Indian art from 1956 tocomprising theworks mid-2000sof important Indian artists and photographers, sculptures, wood carvings, glass paintings, rare textiles etc.<ref name=":2Art">{{Citecite web|last=Thomas|first=Maria|title=The fascinating story behind Air India's priceless collection of art|url=https://qz.com/india/1325611/the-fascinating-story-behind-air-indias-priceless-collection-of-art/|access-date=2 August 2020|websitepublisher=Quartz India|date=13 July 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The collectionartworks comprises works of important Indian artists and photographers of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, sculptures, wood carvings, glass paintings, a large collection of rare textiles, and more.<ref name=":2" /> Among the works are paintings by [[M. F. Husain]] and [[V. S. Gaitonde]] and sketches by Goan cartoonist [[Mario Miranda]].<ref name=":2" /> Some of the company's first purchases helped launch the career of notable painter [[B. Prabha]].<ref name=":2" /> The artwork waswere often sent to be hung in Air India [[city ticket office|booking office]]s around the world and used in menus and advertisingpromotional material.<ref name=":2Art" /> Sometimes artists would be sent to paint murals in foreign offices or be given aeroplane tickets in exchange for art.<ref name=":2" /> In 1967, the company commissioned ashtrays from [[Salvador Dalí]] and gifted aan fewelephant hundredcalf ofas them to its first-class passengerspayment.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Citecite webnews|date=22 April 2016|title=In pics: When Air India presented Surrealist Salvador Dali an elephant|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-when-air-india-presented-surrealist-salvador-dali-an-elephant/story-qiMd1WrlxFZ4kxziE5tH6N.html|access-date=2 August 2020|websitenewspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en}}</ref> As payment, Dali asked for a baby elephant, which Air India flew from [[Bengaluru]] to [[Geneva]], along with a [[mahout]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> In the late 2010s2010, a plan to formestablish a museum from the collection was stalled byand privatisation plans. Thethe artworks reside in a building in [[Nariman Point]], [[Mumbai]].<ref name=":2Art" />

As of December 2023, Air India flies to a total of 84 destinations, including 44 domestic destinations and 40 international destinations in 37 countries across five continents around the world.<ref name="Schedule">{{cite web|url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/destinations/route-map.html|title=Route Map|websitepublisher=Air India|access-date=16 December 2023}}</ref> Its primary hub is located at [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi]], and it has a secondary hub at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Akshay|date=1 October 2015|title=Air India to develop Mumbai as its secondary hub|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/industry/companies/air-india-to-develop-mumbai-as-its-secondary-hub/144349/|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|access-date=3 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025022207/http://www.financialexpress.com/article/industry/companies/air-india-to-develop-mumbai-as-its-secondary-hub/144349/|archive-date=25 October 2015}}</ref> Air India operates some of the [[Longest flights#Non-stop flights (top 30, by great-circle distance)|world's longest non-stop flights]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Air India AI 176 Flight Details, Notes, History|url=https://www.flightstats.com/v2/flight-details/AI/176|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127051446/https://www.flightstats.com/v2/flight-details/AI/176?year=2023&month=1&date=27&flightId=1128198930|archive-date=27 Jan 2023|access-date=27 January 2023|website=FlightStats|language=en}}</ref>

Air India became the 27th member of [[Star Alliance]] on 11 July 2014.<ref name="Star Alliance">{{cite news|last=Young|first=Kathryn M.|url=http://atwonline.com/finance-data/air-india-join-star-alliance-july-11|title=Air India to join Star Alliance July 11 &#124; Finance & Data content from|work=ATWOnline|date=25 June 2014|access-date=6 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715072220/http://atwonline.com/finance-data/air-india-join-star-alliance-july-11|archive-date=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=Air India to join Star Alliance in 2014|url=http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/ceb1-prp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216081629/http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/ceb1-prp/|archive-date=16 December 2013|publisher=Star Alliance|access-date=23 March 2014}}</ref>

Air India has [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Booking Partners |url=https://www.airindia.com/in/en/destinations/partner-airlines/booking-partners.html |access-date=2 December 2023 |websitepublisher=airindia.com}}</ref>

* [[Alaska Airlines]]<ref>{{cite webnews|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/industry/aviation/story/air-india-enters-into-interline-partnership-with-alaska-airlines-for-32-destinations-in-us-mexico-canada-404550-2023-11-04|title=Air India enters into interline partnership with Alaska Airlines for 32 destinations in US, Mexico, Canada|worknewspaper=Business Today|date=4 November 2023 |accessdateaccess-date=4 November 2023}}</ref>

* [[Bangkok Airways]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-enters-into-interline-partnership-with-bangkok-airways/articleshow/103479402.cms?from=mdr|title=Air India enters into interline partnership with Bangkok Airways|worknewspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 September 2023 |accessdateaccess-date=7 September 2023}}</ref>

Apart from the Boeing aircraft, Air India also operates a wide range of Airbus aircraft. In 1989, Indian Airlines introduced the Airbus A320-200 aircraft, which Air India now uses to operate both domestic and international short- haul flights.<ref name="Timeline"/> In 2005, Indian Airlines introduced the smaller, A319sA319, which are now used mainly on domestic and regional routes.<ref name="Timeline"/> After the merger in 2007, Air India inducted the biggest member of the A320 family, the A321, to operate mainly on international short- haul and medium- haul routes. At the same time, Air India leased the Airbus A330s to operate on medium-long haul international routes. CurrentlyAs of February 2013, Air India operates narrow-body62 aircraft,Airbus theA320 Airbusfamily A319,aircraft. A320,[[Air A320neo,India A321One]] and(also A321neoreferred forto domesticas andAI-1 selector internationalAIC001) destinations.is Additionally,the [[Aircall India Expresssign]], aof subsidiary ofany Air India hasaircraft acarrying fleetthe ofPrime Boeing 737-800Minister, which[[President areof operatedIndia|President]] onor domesticthe routes.[[Vice ForPresident otherof internationalIndia|Vice-President]].<ref destinations,name="ie2010">{{cite news|title=Air India's BoeingOne, 777Seat No 59G|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-200LR,india-one-seat-no-59g/687970/1|newspaper=[[The BoeingIndian 777Express]]|access-300ERdate=9 andApril Boeing2011|date=26 787-8September are2010}}</ref><ref usedname="topnews">{{cite news|title=Manmohan Singh to travel in Air India One Agra|url=http://www.topnews.in/manmohan-singh-travel-air-india-one-agra-2238677|publisher=Topnews.in|date=26 OnSeptember 172010|access-date=9 JuneApril 2019,2011}}</ref> Air India groundedOne theoperates laston one of itsthe Indianfive AirlinesBoeing 747-inherited400s Airbusthat A320Air aircraftIndia whichcurrently wereowns transferredas to[[VIP]] Airflights. IndiaCustomised upon[[Embraer the135]] mergerand of[[Boeing IndianBusiness AirlinesJet]]s withare Airalso Indiaused.<ref name="zee">{{cite webnews|title=April 1 date for President with business jets|url=httpshttp://wwwzeenews.thehinduindia.com/newsnation/national/air2009-03-16/515323news.html#|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523183547/http://zeenews.india.com/nation/2009-bids-adieu-to-a32003-classic16/article28022580515323news.ecehtml#|archivedate=23 May 2012|access-date=8 April 2011|newspaper=Zee News|date=16 March 2009}}</ref><ref name="th2009">{{cite news|title=India's own Air IndiaForce bidsOne adieutakes to A320the Classicskies|workurl=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200904011612.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926214104/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200904011612.htm|archivedate=26 September 2011|access-date=9 April 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=191 JuneApril 20192009|authorlocation=AdityaChennai, AnandIndia}}</ref><ref name="tfe2005">{{cite news|title=VVIPs get their special jets|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/vvips-get-their-special-jets/146415/1|access-date=8 April 2011|date=21 September 2005|newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]}}</ref>

As a part of the financial restructuring, Air India sold five of its eight [[Boeing 777-200LR]] aircraft to [[Etihad Airways]] in December 2013. According to the airline, plans for introducing ultra-long flights with service to [[Seattle–Tacoma International Airport|Seattle]], [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]], and [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] were cancelled due to factors like high fuel prices and weak demand. Air India flights to San Francisco have been resumed with more new international destinations.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Air India firms up deal to sell five Boeing 777 to Etihad|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/air-india-firms-up-deal-to-sell-five-boeing-777-to-etihad/article5433602.ece|access-date=25 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 December 2013|url}}</ref> In April 2014, the airline decided to sell its remaining three Boeing 777-status200LRs as well, citing higher operating costs.<ref>{{cite news|last=liveChoudury|archivefirst=Santanu|title=Air India to Sell Rest of 777-200 Fleet|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213235958/http://www.thehinduwsj.com/businessnews/Industryarticles/air-india-firms-up-deal-to-sell-five-boeing-777-to-etihad/article5433602.eceSB10001424052702303825604579515153204933772|archiveaccess-date=1325 DecemberApril 20132014|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=21 April 2014}}</ref> On 24 April 2014, Air India issued a tender for leasing 14 [[Airbus A320]] aircraft for up to six years, to strengthen its domestic network.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India seeks to lease 14 Airbus A320 aircraft|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/04/24/uk-airindia-tender-idINKBN0DA0QX20140424|access-date=25 April 2014|workagency=[[Reuters]]|date=24 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426215200/http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/04/24/uk-airindia-tender-idINKBN0DA0QX20140424|archive-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

{{Multiple image|direction = vertical|image1=Air India 2.jpg|caption1=Business Class seats on board the [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-200LR/777-300ER]]|image2=|caption2=Air India In-Flight entertainment screen|image3=Air India Heathrow lounge.JPG|caption3=Air India [[London Heathrow Airport]] lounge|image4=Air India Lounge.jpg|caption4=India's Maharaja Lounge at [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in New York City}}

Air India aircraft are equipped with [[Thales Group|Thales]] i3000 [[in-flight entertainment]] system. Passengers can choose from five channels airing Hindi and English content.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airindia.in/Images/pdf/e-guide.pdf|title=Air India in-flight entertainment guide|publisher=Air India|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327145721/http://www.airindia.in/Images/pdf/e-guide.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2016}}</ref> Air India's Boeing 777, 747 and 787 aircraft are also equipped with personal on-demand in-flight entertainment systems on which passengers can choose from available content.<ref>{{cite web|title=Showtime|url=http://airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/e_guide_final.pdf?MID=29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224024234/http://airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/e_guide_final.pdf?MID=29|archive-date=24 February 2013|publisher=Air India|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> ''Showtime'' is the official entertainment guide published by Air India. ''Shubh Yatra'' (meaning ''Happy Journey'') is a bilingual in-flight magazine published in English and Hindi by Air India.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air India to now have a new in-flight bi-lingual magazine|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-now-have-a-new-in-flight-bi-lingual-magazine/articleshow/18403161.cms|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=9 February 2013|date=8 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823134650/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-now-have-a-new-in-flight-bi-lingual-magazine/articleshow/18403161.cms|archive-date=23 August 2017}}</ref>

* On 27 December 1947, a Douglas C-48C (registered VT-AUG) carrying nineteen passengers and four crew en route from Karachi to Bombay, [[1947 Korangi Creek crash|crashed]] at [[Korangi Creek Cantonment|Korangi Creek]] due to loss of control following instrument failure, killing all on board. This was the airline's first fatal accident. The aircraft had been notorious for electrical problems and had an unusual number of instrument replacements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19471227-0 |title=ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-48C-DO (DC-3) VT-AUG |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=12 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123235316/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19471227-0 |archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>

* On 15 September 1951, Douglas C-47A Dakota III VT-CCA lost control and crashed on takeoff from [[HAL Bangalore Airport]] with the autopilot turned on, killing a crew member; all 23 passengers survived.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19510915-0 |title=ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-47A-30-DK Dakota III VT-CCA Bangalore-Hindustan Airport (BLR) |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=13 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123213614/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19510915-0 |archive-date=23 November 2015 }}</ref>

* On 21 June 1982, [[Air India Flight 403]] ''Gouri Shankar'', a Boeing 707-420 (registered VT-DJJ) carrying 99 passengers and 12 crew from [[Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport|Kuala Lumpur]] to Bombay via Madras crashed while landing at [[Sahar International Airport]] during a rainstorm. The fuselage broke apart and seventeen people including two crew members were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=06221982&reg=VT-DJJ&airline=Air+India |title=Accident Database: Accident Synopsis 06221982 |publisher=Airdisaster.com |access-date=30 August 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100811193649/http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=06221982&reg=VT-DJJ&airline=Air+India| archive-date= 11 August 2010 | url-status= usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airsafe.com/events/airlines/ain.htm |title=Fatal Events Since 1970 for Air India |publisher=Airsafe.com |access-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223015026/http://www.airsafe.com/events/airlines/ain.htm |archive-date=23 February 2010 }}</ref>

* On 7 May 1990, Air India Flight 132 ''Emperor Vikramaditya'', a Boeing 747-200B (registered VT-EBO) flying on the London-Delhi-Bombay route carrying 215 people (195 passengers and 20 crew) caught fire on touch down at [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi airport]] due to a failure of an engine pylon-to-wing attachment. There were no fatalities but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and written off.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19900507-0 |title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-237B VT-EBO Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=10 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822230832/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19900507-0 |archive-date=22 August 2009 }}</ref>

* On 26 November 2022, Shankar Mishra, then an Indian vice-president for [[Wells Fargo]], allegedly urinated on a female passenger and her seat in a business class of a [[Indians in the New York metropolitan area|New York]] [[JFK International Airport|JFK]]-Delhi Air India flight. Mishra was then accused of exposing his [[genitalia]] until other passengers asked him to move. The female passenger was provided with clothes but had to continue to sit on the seat soaked with urine and was refused one of the empty seats in first class as a reparation. It was not until after the female passenger and her family filed a complaint that the airline took the issue to Indian law authorities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Drunk man pees on female passenger in business class of Air India US-India flight: Report |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drunk-man-pees-on-female-co-passenger-in-air-india-us-india-business-class-flight-report-101672803333070.html |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=Hindustan Times |date=4 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Man who urinated on female passenger on AI flight is from Mumbai, to face arrest soon: Reports |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/man-who-urinated-on-female-passenger-on-ai-flight-is-from-mumbai-to-face-arrest-soon-101672899176432.html |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=Hindustan Times |date=5 January 2023}}</ref> After the incident happened, Mishra fled to his hometown of [[Bengaluru]] to avoid the ultimate arrest, while he was barred from flying for 30 days with Air India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Who is Shankar Mishra, Air India passenger who urinated on woman {{!}} 5 things about him |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-is-shankar-mishra-air-india-passenger-who-urinated-on-woman-5-things-about-him-101672924957953.html |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=Hindustan Times |date=5 January 2023}}</ref> Mr. Mishra in January 2022 denied the allegation against him and instead alleged that the passenger had lost [[urinary incontinence|urinary continence]] and had urinated upon herself. The incident has been dubbed ''Pee-gate'' by the Indian media.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://m.timesofindia.com/india/bid-to-harass-further-woman-reacts-to-peed-on-herself-claim/articleshow/96995411.cms|title= Bid to harass further': Woman reacts to 'peed on herself' claim|newspaper=The Times of India|date=15 January 2023|access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref>

* On 6 December 2022, just a few days after the NYC-Delhi flight on which then-vice-president of Wells Fargo Shankar Mishra allegedly urinated on a female passenger's seat, another Indian man, named Sukant Kumar, urinated on a female passenger's blanket on a Paris-Delhi flight. The male passenger was apprehended by the Central Industrial Security Force, but was later released as the two passengers reached a "compromise".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mallick |first1=Pritha |title=Another Mid-air 'Peeing' Incident on AI Flight As Drunk Man 'Urinates' on Woman's Blanket |publisher=News18 |date=5 January 2023}}</ref>