Was 17 Hours on Air India a Bad Idea? A350 Business Class to JFK
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
Flying Air India these days falls somewhere between playing slots in Vegas and opening a box of chocolates.
In my opinion, the only seat out there right now which is comparable in comfort, privacy, and space are Qatar Airways Qsuites.
If you want the absolute most comfortable non-stop flight between the two countries, this is your only way to go.
By 2030, Air India will either be a proud transformed flag carrier or the most expensive work in progress in aviation history.
Creator's Tips & Advice
Questions This Creator Answers
Port Highlights
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
Is the Air India A350 Business Class actually a QSuite killer, or just more Tata Group marketing? In this full trip report and review, I fly 17 hours from Delhi (DEL) to New York (JFK) to see if the "New Air India" transformation is finally delivering a world-class experience. From Aeroflot-spec private suites to the chaos of Delhi Terminal 3, this is the most honest look at the world’s most expensive work-in-progress to help for your 2026 and 2027 travel planning. 📍 SUPPORT INDEPENDENT REVIEWS -This channel is 100% self-funded. Help me keep these reviews honest and get a host of travel tips, tricks, and advice on my Patreon: https://www.bit.ly/tfft_patreon -Shop My Amazon Page → https://www.amazon.com/shop/theflipfloptraveller In the season 28 finale, I’m putting Air India’s flagship A350-900 to the ultimate test: a 17-hour ultra-long-haul journey from Delhi to New York. While the airline has been making headlines with massive aircraft orders and a fresh brand identity, the ground experience in Delhi remains a test of patience, from 23-minute boarding pass waits to navigating a hub that is quickly becoming a least favorite. Once on board, the narrative shifts. These A350s—originally destined for Aeroflot—feature private suites that rival the best in the sky, including Qatar’s QSuites. I’ll take you through the full experience: the unique "Russian" seat quirks (like the lack of armrests), the hit-or-miss catering where the Asian dishes shine while Western options fail, and the reality of a 14,000km route necessitated by closed airspace. Is Air India finally rebuilding trust, or just stress-testing our patience? In this video: -The Tata Timeline: Analyzing the state of the 2022 takeover and why "transformation" currently feels more like press releases than operational reality. -The Aeroflot Legacy: Exploring the A350-900's "off-the-rack" interior, featuring top-tier private suites but a curious lack of armrests. -Dining Diagnostics: Reviewing a menu of extremes, from a 9.1/10 Chicken Bibimbap to "gummy" western chicken and inedible matcha sponge. -Operational Friction: Navigating the chaos of Delhi Transit and the "revised" flight time strategy that replaces honest delay recovery. -The Final Score: Why a world-class seat isn't enough to erase a decade of erratic service, and where Air India lands on my ranking scale. Video Chapters: 00:00 Arrival at Delhi Airport 00:54 Transit Challenges and Ground Experience 01:22 Flight Delay and Booking Impacts 02:02 Lounge Overview and Overcrowding 02:34 Air India's Historical Context 03:45 Gate Procedures and Security 04:18 Tata Group Acquisition and Strategic Goals 05:12 A350 Cabin Overview 05:56 Seat Design Flaws and Storage 07:59 Pre-Departure Services and Beverage Choices 08:28 Cabin Features and Window Shades 09:11 Boarding and Initial Impressions 11:06 Bedding and Sleep Comfort 12:17 Meal Service 1 and Dining Quality 13:11 Entertainment and On-Board Amenities 14:52 In-Flight Bed Mode 16:26 Breakfast Service Experience 17:48 Privacy Levels and Amenity Kits 19:00 Final Meal Service and Catering Issues 22:27 Flight Experience Summary and Rating Airline: Air India Route: Delhi (DEL) to New York (JFK) Class of Service: Business Class Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 Full Ticket Routing: SIN-DEL (SQ), DEL-JFK (AI) Price Paid: 87,500 Aeroplan Points + $117 Taxes/Fees 🙋🏼♂️ All About The Channel & Me: https://bit.ly/tfft_welcome 🌍 My VENMO Tip Jar: @kevin_tfft 📽️ My Next 5 Videos 30 May: Season 29 Preview 04 Jun: Long Haul, Narrow Body on Iberia 06 Jun: Lotsa Disappointment on ITA Airways 11 Jun: Never Say Never. Let's Try Gulf Air Again 13 Jun: Gulf Air Widebodies: Wildly Better or Just Wild? This is NOT a promotional video. I pay for all of my flights and hotels (and I always tell you how much!) so I can be as honest and impartial as possible. I do not receive any special treatment that wouldn’t otherwise be publicly accessible, in fact, the hotels and airlines have no idea about my visit and that's the way I like it! #AirIndia #FlightReview #SelfFunded