Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

Inflight review: Vistara Business Class: Airbus A321neo: Bangalore to Delhi

The Tata Singapore Airline joint venture Vistara recently took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo. This aircraft is the 93.5-ton maximum take-off weight (MTOW) version fitted with one additional centre tank (ACT) which will allow it airline to fly as far as Istanbul or Manila from the airline’s New Delhi hub. Vistara is expected to use their A321neos for these …

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Vistara introduces new yoga-inspired inflight safety videos

The retro crew uniform that will be used on special flights of the Retro Livery Tata SIA Airlines Vistara A320neo. Image copyright Devesh Agarwal. Used with permission.

The Tata Singapore Airlines brand Vistara, has released a new set of in-flight safety videos for display on their new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A321neo aircraft. Vistara new inflight safety video in English (A321) Vistara new inflight safety video in Hindi (B789) A journey across India Vistara has chosen Yoga. Their new in-flight safety video goes beyond the aircraft …

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Vistara commencing flights to London Heathrow next week

Vistara's first 787-9 lands at New Delhi airport. Photo by Yash Kumar (TeamAviationIndia).

Social media chatter indicates the Tata – Singapore Airlines joint venture Vistara will commence its maiden long-distance international flights this Independence Day with flights between New Delhi IGI and London Heathrow. The flight will be operated by Vistara’s sole Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (click the link for cabin images), though the airline is expected to receive its second 787 in about …

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India suspends all domestic passenger flights

Domestic ramp at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji airport. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal.

The Indian government has ordered a shut down of all passenger flights into and within India. On the heels of suspending international flights, all domestic scheduled commercial flights are to cease operations effective 23:59 hours IST (UTC+5.5) March 24, 2020. Flights have to land at their destination before this deadline. There is no re-start date announced at this time, but …

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American Airlines and Qatar Airways end their feud, sign code-share agreement

Qatar Airways and American Airlines Sign Strategic Partnership Deal and Codeshare Agreement

American Airlines had a code-share agreement with Qatar Airways which it terminated in 2017 claiming unfair government subsidies to the Gulf carrier Both airlines are members of the oneworld alliance Both airlines remain tight-lipped on what developments caused the rapprochement oneworld alliance members American Airlines and Qatar Airways appear to have buried the hatchet and put aside their disputes to …

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Boeing estimates 737 MAX return to service only by mid-2020

Boeing 737 MAX 8 performs high altitude testing at La Paz, Bolivia

Boeing has confirmed that it does not expect the grounded 737 MAX to return to service before “mid-2020”. In a statement released on January 21, the company cautioned that this time-line is an estimate, and entry in to service will be finally determined by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other regulators across the world like Europe’s EASA and …

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10 tips to make your winter fog travel easier

Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400F 9V-SFQ in fog at Bangalore Kempegowda airport

Early morning fog is the bane of the Indian air passenger, especially at Bangalore and New Delhi airports. It disrupts schedules and leads to aggravation, quarrels, shouting, and general ill-will not just for passengers but also airlines, airports, and all their staff and stakeholders. Here are some tips that should help you avoid the disruption and hopefully keep your blood …

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Should India feed its citizens or prop up Air India?

The Air India ramp at Mumbai CSMI Airport. Photo by and copyright Devesh Agarwal.

India leads the world in hungry people. In the recently released Global Hunger Index, India dropped to rank 102 out of 117 countries, placing it below its impoverished neighbours Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. About 15% of India’s population is either malnourished or undernourished. About 194 million Indians go hungry each day, and regretably a large percentage are children. The government …

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India’s cities and the need for multi-airport systems

Renovated T2 at New Delhi IGI airport

Airports are strategic assets for any country. As airport impact growth and connectivity impacts that lend themselves to improving tourism, trade, technology, transport and talent. Consider India’s lacklustre trade figures – currently at 1.2 percent of global trade; innovation – where no Indian university lists amongst the top twenty globally; and slowing economic growth. As policymakers and economists rush to …

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Tata-SIA Vistara to commence New Delhi Bangkok flights

Vistara's first Airbus A320neo VT-TNB on its maiden commercial flight.

The Tata-Singapore Airlines joint-venture Vistara will commence daily flights on the New Delhi Bangkok sector from August 27, 2019. Bangkok is the third international destination for the airline. It commenced flights to Singapore today, and will commence flights between Mumbai and Dubai on August 21st. Like it Mumbai Dubai flights, Vistara will use its three-class Airbus A320neo on the Bangkok …

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Vistara to commence Mumbai Dubai flights replacing Jet Airways

Economy class on the Retro Livery Tata SIA Airlines Vistara Airbus A320neo. Image copyright Devesh Agarwal. Used with permission.

The Tata-Singapore Airlines joint-venture Vistara will commence flights on the Mumbai Dubai sector from August 21, 2019. This flight will operate on a schedule very similar to that operated by Jet Airways which suspended operations in April. Dubai will be the second destination for Vistara. The airline will commence flights to its first international destination, Singapore, from New Delhi and …

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Technical issue forces British Airways Bangalore flight to return to London

British Airways Boeing 777-200ER G-YMMU

A British Airways Boeing 777-200ER registration G-YMMU, operating flight BA119 from London Heathrow to Bangalore Kempegowda airport returned to London Heathrow airport soon after take-off due to a technical issue. The cause of the issue is being investigated by the engineers, and no determination on what caused the issue has been made as of the time of this report. The …

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Now “Book The Cook” on Singapore Airlines flights from Mumbai and Delhi

Singapore Airlines Book The Book Lobster Thermidor ex-Mumbai and Delhi flights

Fancy a traditional Kaiseki gourmet meal at 35,000 feet? Or some Nalli Nihari lamb shank? How about a fancy Shahi Thali? I have always admired the variety and detail of the in-flight dining onboard Singapore Airlines. The news that has me excited is that Singapore Airlines has finally introduced its famous Book The Cook meal service on its flights originating …

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Vistara to add four Jet Boeing 737s to fleet. Two additional A320s to join later.

Vistara's first Airbus A320neo VT-TNB on its maiden commercial flight.

Vistara (Tata SIA Airlines Ltd)., will lease four Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft from the erstwhile Jet Airways fleet. These aircraft will join Vistara in the next week. Additionally, the airline announced they will lease two Airbus A320neo (A320-251N), which are powered by CFM LEAP 1A engines, during the second half of 2019. We suspect these aircraft are coming from the …

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UPDATED: KLM to commence Amsterdam Bangalore flights

Update – Confirmation from KLM KLM has confirmed our report. In a statement, the airline said “From 28 October 2019, KLM will fly between Amsterdam Schiphol and Bangalore on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The flights with the Boeing 787-9 offer 30 seats in the World Business Class, 45 seats in the Economy Comfort Class and 219 seats in the Economy …

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Grounding Jet Airways is best option for now. Force lenders to act decisively

A Jet Airways Boeing 777-300ER pulling into it's gate at London Heathrow.

The saga of Jet Airways has been analysed to death. The situation is turning in to a tale of “could have, should have, would have……..”. In this scenario, we opine the best option, for now, is to ground Jet Airways, and suspend all operations. It is a radical opinion, but do read on. The current situation The proposed funds infusion …

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List of candidates to lead the Jet Airways turnaround

Jet Airways A330 fleet at New Delhi IGI airport Terminal 2

It is well known the aviation business is competitive, and India is probably the most difficult market to succeed in. While airlines are making handsome profits across the world, almost every Indian airline is facing financial issues. Leading the losses are national carrier Air India and private sector pioneer Jet Airways. Even the low-fare carriers are suffering in this era …

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After stalling for two months, Goyal step down from Jet Airways board

Jet Airways' Boeing 737-800 VT-JBD

Over 2.5 months ago, on CNBC, I said Mr. Naresh Goyal must decide, whether Jet Airways lives without him or dies with him. After stalling all this time, and taking the airline to the brink of closure, he appears to have realised he has finally run out of options. In a filing with the stock exchange, the company announced Mr. …

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Boeing CEO’s message to airlines, passengers and aviation community

Boeing 737 MAX 8 performs high altitude testing at La Paz, Bolivia

The Boeing Company which recently celebrated its centenary is facing one of the greatest threats to its reputation in the wake of two fatal crashes of the workhorse 737 MAX, the world’s best selling passenger jetliner. In the jetliner era, the United States Federal Aviation Administration has grounded the entire fleet of an aircraft three times. In 1979, McDonnell Douglas …

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Boeing CEO says 737 MAX software fix and training revision in ‘finalisation’

The new 737 MAX 8 rolls out of the paint hangar in Renton.

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg, on Sunday, confirmed that the company was finalising its “development of a previously-announced software update and pilot training revision that will address the MCAS flight control law’s behavior in response to erroneous sensor inputs”. MCAS The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) was developed by Boeing to make the newest version of its best …

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