The enhanced multi-course dining service has launched on select India–UK routes, featuring linen table settings, individually plated courses and bespoke tableware inspired by Indian design.
Air India is elevating its Business Class dining experience on long-haul international flights with the introduction of a restaurant-style, multi-course meal service designed to bring greater refinement and personalisation to inflight hospitality.
Announced on 22 October 2026, the service has launched on selected flights between India and the United Kingdom, including routes serving London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Birmingham. Air India plans to progressively expand the offering across its Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
The initiative forms part of the airline’s wider efforts to strengthen its premium travel proposition through improvements to onboard service, dining and cabin experience.
A restaurant-inspired experience at 35,000 feet
The new service moves beyond conventional tray-based meal presentation, introducing linen-laid tables, individually plated courses and dedicated tableware for appetisers, main courses and desserts. The approach is intended to give passengers a more leisurely dining experience, supported by attentive service and a carefully arranged sequence of courses.
Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Air India, said the introduction of course-by-course dining represents another step in the airline’s transformation, combining refined presentation and personalised hospitality with the warmth and authenticity of Indian service traditions.
Bespoke tableware celebrates Indian craftsmanship
The dining upgrade is accompanied by a new collection of bespoke tableware for Air India’s Vista Verve service. The collection includes dedicated plates for appetisers, main courses, snacks, desserts and cheese, alongside a signature glass and a specially designed espresso cup.
A distinctive element is the Martaban-inspired cruet set, based on traditional Indian jars associated with preserving ingredients, flavours and family recipes. Reimagined for use onboard, the design brings a cultural reference into the airline’s contemporary premium dining experience.
The coordinated tableware is intended to create a more consistent visual identity throughout the meal, complementing the presentation of dishes and the service delivered by cabin crew.
Part of a wider premium travel upgrade
The enhanced dining service builds on Air India’s broader investments in refreshed food and beverage menus, wine selections, tea offerings and onboard hospitality. These initiatives accompany the airline’s fleet modernisation programme, which includes the introduction of new Airbus A350 aircraft and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, alongside cabin retrofits for existing aircraft.
Air India aims to provide a more contemporary and consistent premium experience across its international network. However, the new dining service is being introduced in phases, so availability may vary by aircraft and route. Passengers should check the details of their specific flight when booking.
For travellers choosing Business Class on India–UK services, the initiative adds another dimension to the onboard experience, placing greater emphasis on presentation, tableware and personalised meal service during long-distance journeys.
