Vistara is all set to take to the skies. They received their Air Operator Permit earlier this week, and will be launching their first flight on the Delhi-Mumbai-Ahmedabad routes on January 9, 2015. Like I already mentioned before, the tailsign for Vistara will be UK.
From whatever I have been able to gather at the moment, the inaugural flight will be UK-890 on BOM-DEL on January 9, 2015 at 12:30 PM from Delhi, arriving into Mumbai at 14:45 PM.
Vistara will start operating with 2 planes (airbus A320-200s). Here is a primitive schedule for the first few days I could cobble together via the various OTAs:
09 January 2014
UK890 DEL1230 BOM1445 A320
UK895 BOM1655 DEL1905 A320
UK228 DEL1730 BOM1940 A320
10 January 2014 / every Monday to Saturday
UK943 DEL0725 BOM0940 A320
UK930 BOM0755 DEL1005 A320
UK952 BOM1020 DEL1230 A320
UK970 AMD1310 BOM1420 A320
UK987 DEL1455 BOM1705 A320
UK980 BOM1545 AMD1655 / AMD1735 DEL1905 A320
UK996 BOM1745 DEL2000 A320
UK984 DEL1955 BOM2215 A320
11 January 2014 and every Sunday
UK943 DEL0725 BOM0940 A320
UK930 BOM0755 DEL1005 A320
UK952 BOM1020 DEL1230 A320
UK970 DEL1050 BOM1310 A320
UK987 DEL1455 BOM1705 A320
UK996 BOM1745 DEL2000 A320
UK984 DEL1955 BOM2215 A320
This is a snapshot of how the website would look at www.airvistara.com.
Plane Configuration will include Premium Economy
Like Vistara announced earlier, they will have a 3-cabin configuration even on domestic routes. Each plane will have 16 Business class seats, 36 Premium Economy seats and 96 Economy seats, making it a total of 148 seats. Update: Read this post for details on the cabins.
Loyalty Program to be revenue based.
Vistara now confirms they will have a loyalty program from Day one, something we discussed long ago on this blog. Like I suspected, it is going to be called Club Vistara.
However, in an industry first for Indian aviation, their loyalty program will be based the price you pay for your tickets and not the number of miles flown, however, more details are awaited. Update: Some details about Club Vistara
Food
From what I’ve heard from various people, food will be not part of the ticket price for Economy but not confirmed yet. I’m wondering what is full-service about them if the ticket does not include Food. This will give Jet Airways a lead since they will be focusing on catering services for everyone.
Luggage Allowances:
15 Kg in Economy, 20 Kg in Premium Economy, 30 Kg in Business Class
IFE: Still unsure, the cabin has not been previewed yet.
Bookings are already live on www.goibibo.com and www.makemytrip.com. They will start on www.airvistara.com in the morning of 19 December 2014.
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One thing I noticed during Vistara booking was that it shows departure terminal as T2 in Mumbai. If this is correct, this will make it first domestic sector airline to do so (except air india which operates its domestic leg of international flights from T2).
Thanks for the update. I’ve been waiting for them to begin their operations. However, in your post regarding food on economy, yes food will be served in all classes. It’s mentioned on their website. Just in case….. It’s here:
Quote, Unquote: Business Class passengers will enjoy a special dining experience in the sky as our cabin crew meticulously carry out the meal service with fine linens and bone china tableware. Our Premium Economy and Economy passengers will be treated to wholesome and interesting food and beverage selections which delight and excite their palates. The menus have been carefully selected and will be rotated regularly to ensure variety for our frequent flyers.
Can you update it on the post please 🙂
Food on economy is the only reason I (and many others) fly full-service 😉
Thanks for the heads up man !
Booked line & sinker 😉
P.S.: Were you the other one who set the changedetection alarm?