First Vistara Airbus A321neo Delivered Feature Flat Bed Business Class

Delhi, 25 July 2020 – Vistara is raising the service bar by introducing flat-bed seats in Business Class onboard its new Airbus A321neo fleet. Vistara, a TATA Group and SIA (Singapore International Airline) joint venture started in 2014, has received its first Airbus A321neo registered VT-TVA and is powered by 2x CFM LEAP1A engines. The airframe was delivered on 25th July 2020 and should enter commercial service shortly.

Arriving at 08.30 am Indian Standard Time on 25th July 2020 after a nonstop flight from Airbus’s final assembly line at Hamburg, Germany, VT-TVA, in a 3-class configuration has 12 seats which convert into lie flat-beds in business class, 24 seats in Premium Economy and 152 seats in the economy class. Its the first of the 6 A321neo aircraft leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) and a part of its 50 A320neo family aircraft order placed by Vistara in 2018.

VT-TVA along with the other 32 airbus A320 aircraft fleet of Vistara will help the aircraft to live up to its name Vistara taken from a Sanskrit word vistāra meaning ‘limitless expanse’.

With TVA’s induction, it also makes Vistara not only India’s first A321neo operator to have next-generation CFM LEAP-1A engines but also the first airline in South Asia with full-flat beds on a narrow-body jet and one of the few such airlines across the world. The LEAP1A engines are up to 50% quieter and reduce carbon emissions. The aircraft is at least 15% more fuel-efficient, with new engine technology and upgrades. The powerful, in-built air purification systems on this aircraft ensure the elimination of viruses and bacteria to refresh the cabin air every 2-3 minutes, thereby ensuring safety and hygiene of the passenger.

Vistara’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Leslie Thng said “We are excited to welcome our first A321neo aircraft, the latest addition in our growing fleet. The new aircraft ensures operational enhancement, cost efficiency as well as a reduction in carbon footprint for us while enabling extra payload capacity, greater fuel efficiency and higher range. The new cabin products on our A321 aircraft truly complement our promise of providing a premium and world-class flying experience to travellers from and to India. All of these aspects perfectly align with our international growth strategy”.

Airbus’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Christian Scherer says “In these challenging times, differentiation through efficiency, product and customer mindset is what truly matters, and we are proud to see our A321neo as an essential cornerstone in meeting Vistara’s strategic objectives for the future and providing a competitive edge through India’s best in class business cabin as well as significant advantages in terms of operations, efficiency and environment are a truly wise way for a growing airline going forward”.

Let’s explore its cabin features in detail –

Business Class (12 Seats) –

Experience ultimate luxury and comfort while travelling in Vistara’s Business Class. With features that elevate your flying experience, you are sure to arrive thoroughly pampered at your destination! Seats upholstered in genuine leather that recline into 84” fully-flat beds Generous leg space with 63” seat pitch 16” High Definition (HD) touchscreen in-seat TV Video Handset to navigate the IFE system Four-way headrest, headset hook, cocktail table, reading light and coat hook USB port and 3-pin charging point in every seat Control Unit for customers to control seat functions.

Premium Economy (24 seats) –

India’s only Premium Economy, a distinct cabin class that offers superior comfort with extra legroom and enhanced features for a truly memorable journey. Placed between the Business and Economy class with 33” seat pitch 10” High Definition (HD) touchscreen in-seat TV* Increased legroom and storage space Four-way adjustable headrest Audio jack and recline control USB port and 3-pin charging point in every seat.

Economy Class (152 seats) –

With much more to offer than an ordinary Economy Class, this cabin is equipped with high quality, breathable fabric-upholstered seats with 4-way headrests for enhanced comfort throughout your journey. Up to 29” seat pitch 10” High Definition (HD) touchscreen in-seat TV. Four-way headrest for enhanced neck support USB port in every seat and 3-pin power outlet.

The A321neo is the largest member of the Airbus A320 family providing up to 240 seats based on the cabin configuration and with reduced carbon emissions and enhanced passenger experience the A321neo could definitely be the future of budget medium and long haul operations.

(Header Image © v1images.com/Dirk Grothe)

*At time of publishing on 29th July 2020