According to two people with direct knowledge of the situation, Vistara is in talks with Boeing Co. to upgrade 787-9 Dreamliner jets, as it plans to induct within the next two years by installing a crew rest area, enabling the airline to operate direct long-haul flights to the US and other countries
The carrier, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd and Singapore Airlines Ltd, have obtained two of the six 787-9 Dreamliners and it ordered in 2018 to fly medium and long-haul international flights. The first plane was delivered in February 2020, and the others are expected to arrive by 2023.
The two wide-body Dreamliners are reportedly operated by Vistara to several international destinations, including London, as well as on domestic routes. Vistara has the option of buying four additional 787-9 aircraft.
“However, the airline’s current Boeing 787-9 fleet can’t be used for long-haul flights because they don’t have plans for transporting an additional set of pilots,” one of the two people quoted above, speaking on the condition of anonymity. With rest compartments, the airline would be able to carry an additional set of pilots for direct long-haul flights.
According to the second source cited above, Vistara is in talks with Boeing to include a crew rest compartment in some 787-9 planes, that it will receive in the coming years, allowing the carrier to begin nonstop long-haul flights.
The Boeing 787-9 is crucial to the airline’s long-haul strategy, according to the person.
The only other airline in the country with wide-body planes capable of long-haul flights is Air India Ltd, the country’s national airline. Direct flights from India to Australia and the US are accessible via Air India.
According to Boeing’s website, the 787-9 Dreamliner has a range of 13,950 kilometers and can accommodate up to 296 passengers in a two-class configuration. Vistara planes are split into three classes: economy, luxury economy, and business.
According to a Boeing spokesperson, the company would not comment on customer requests. Vistara’s fleet plans are in the works, but the airline “doesn’t have much to share,” according to a spokesperson. Before international flights from India were grounded in March 2020 due to the Covid epidemic, Vistara flew to nearby international destinations such as Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. Under bilateral arrangements, the airline currently flies to London and the Maldives.
