New Delhi: Tata-owned airline Air India received a rating of 7.4 out of 10, ranking fourth in the latest survey of airlines with poor business class.
Bounce, a UK-based agency, ranked global airlines on factors such as cabin and seat comfort, in-flight service, entertainment and amenities to determine the world's worst airlines for business class travelers.
According to the ranking, Air India scored 7.4 out of 10, placing it fourth in the world with the worst business class. EgyptAir (5.71), Copa Airlines (6.71) and Kuwait Airways (seven) were the three airlines with the worst business class on their flights.
The survey found that Air India's cabin seats were the biggest problem in business class facilities. It received a rating of 6/10 for the cabin seats, and the rest of the services such as in-flight entertainment, cuisine, airport experience and drinks received 7/10.
This happens when the airline is in “work in progress” mode and is updating the product for all of its aircraft types. The upgrade would mean new seats in all classes.
Air India is currently upgrading 40 older Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft to the same standard, completely replacing seats and entertainment systems. This is expected to begin in July 2024, people familiar with the matter said. At the same time, the modernization of 41 A320 aircraft will begin.
The airline is also collaborating with Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), a world-renowned hospitality interior design firm, to renovate Air India lounges.
Highlighting the rankings' methodology, Bounce said: “For each airline, we looked at reviews from BusinessClass.com (a travel search engine), which gives each airline a score out of ten for factors such as airport experience, cabin and seat cuisine, drinks , Service, Entertainment, Amenities and Facilities… Reviews were available that averaged all seven reviews for each airline.”
The agency also rated the airlines' best business class facilities. Singapore Airlines topped the list with a score of 9.57/10, followed by Qatar Airways (9.43) and Oman Air (9.29).
Airports were also ranked based on business class services, with London's Heathrow airports topping the rankings with a score of 7.60/10. Hamad International Airport in Qatar (7.09) came in second place and Germany's Munich Airport (6.99) came in third place.
The German airport Munich (6.99) took third place.
