Air India operates a fleet of 27 Boeing 787-8s, making it one of the largest operators of the shortest variant of the Dreamliner family. It principally uses them on flights to the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia, along with a couple routes to Australia. While Air India’s smallest widebody does have the range to theoretically fly to destinations on the East Coast of the United States and Toronto from Delhi, it cannot do so with a profitable load, meaning that the first Air India Dreamliners to serve North America will be 787-9s, of which the carrier has 20 on order. One of the routes to Europe is from Ahmedabad, the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat, to London’s Gatwick Airport, which also sees AI service from Amritsar, Bangalore, Goa, and Kochi, all with the 787.
Server: Solo
Airline: Air India
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Origin: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, India (AMD)
Destination: London Gatwick Airport, Crawley, United Kingdom (LGW)
Flight Number: AI171
Route: VAAH-EGKK
Seat: 11J (Economy)
Time En Route: 8 Hours 39 Minutes
Boarding at Ahmedabad. We’re in the forwardmost Economy row just behind the second exit door on the right, in seat 11J. Beyond the increased legroom in this specific row, Air India’s Economy product on its Dreamliners is arguably superior to the rather dated Business Class on its 777 fleet and certainly the Triple 7 Economy cabin, having both seatback entertainment and onboard power, which the Economy product on the larger Boeings lack.
Climbing out of Ahmedabad
Cruising over the mountains of southern Pakistan
Heading west over the Caspian Sea
Descending along the English coast
Landing in the evening in London
Preparing to get off the plane at the South Terminal