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Emirates vs. Air India: Which is the Best Airline to Book Flights to Hyderabad
by Travelopod
June 11, 2024
In 2024, the battle for premium economy travelers on US-India routes is set to intensify. Emirates, known for its luxurious in-flight service, is launching premium economy flights to India in October, directly challenging Air India's established offering. Air India, however, isn't backing down, with a fleet expansion featuring modern aircraft to enhance their premium economy service. This head-to-head competition is expected to benefit travelers with potentially lower fares and improved amenities.
Air India VS Emirates: Which is the Best Airline to Book Cheap Flights to Hyderabad
Air India VS Emirates: Which is the Best Airline to Book Cheap Flights to Hyderabad
Air India Premium Economy VS Emirates Premium Economy
Key takeaways from the comparison:
- Emirates currently offers a more spacious premium economy experience with wider seats (19.5" vs. 19"), more legroom (40" vs. 38"), and a more significant seat recline (8" vs. 5").
- Emirates also boasts a 6-level adjustable headrest for enhanced comfort, while Air India's headrest is standard.
- In terms of aesthetics, Emirates takes the edge with its creamy leather seats and golden hues. Air India's current blue upholstery might change in 2024 as they retrofit more aircraft with premium economy cabins.
Overall, Emirates currently provides a more premium economy experience based on seat size, recline, and aesthetics. However, Air India's potential upgrades in 2024 could alter this dynamic.
Air India Business Class VS Emirates Business Class
Air India Business Class VS Emirates Business Class
Feature | Emirates Business Class | Air India Business Class |
Fleet | Modern, wide-body aircraft (A380, B777) | Mix of wide-body (B787, B777) and older aircraft |
Seat Configuration | Lie-flat seats, and direct aisle access on most aircraft | Lie-flat seats, some older planes with angled flat seats |
Seat Pitch & Width | 60-78 inches pitch, 18.5-20.5 inches wide | 62-74 inches pitch, 19-22 inches wide |
In-flight Entertainment | ICE system with over 4,500 channels | A limited selection of movies, TV shows, and music |
Wi-Fi | Available on most flights, free 20MB, paid packages | Limited availability, varies by aircraft |
Dining | Multi-course gourmet meals, regional options | Multi-course meals, Indian and international cuisine |
Beverages | Wide selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails | Selection of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks |
Amenities | Amenity kits, noise-canceling headphones, pajamas | Amenity kits, basic toiletries |
Lounge Access | Extensive network of dedicated lounges worldwide | Limited lounge access, varies by location |
Chauffeur Service | Complimentary in over 75 cities | Available in select cities |
On-ground Experience | Dedicated check-in counters, expedited security | Dedicated check-in, priority boarding |
Air India First Class VS Emirates First Class
Air India First Class VS Emirates First Class
Feature | Emirates First Class | Air India First Class |
Fleet | Modern, wide-body aircraft (A380, B777) | Limited to certain routes on B777 aircraft |
Seat Configuration | Fully enclosed suites, lie-flat beds | Semi-private suites, lie-flat beds |
Seat Pitch & Width | 78-86 inches pitch, 23 inches wide | 82 inches pitch, 21 inches wide |
Privacy | Full-height privacy doors (A380), high walls (B777) | Sliding doors for privacy |
In-flight Entertainment | ICE system with over 4,500 channels | A limited selection of movies, TV shows, and music |
Wi-Fi | Available on most flights, free 20MB, paid packages | Limited availability, varies by aircraft |
Dining | Multi-course gourmet meals, dine-on-demand | Multi-course meals, Indian and international cuisine |
Beverages | Premium selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails | Selection of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks |
Shower Spa | Available on A380 | Not available |
Amenities | Bvlgari amenity kits, pajamas, noise-canceling headphones | Amenity kits, basic toiletries |
Onboard Lounge | Available on A380 | Not available |
Lounge Access | First Class Lounge, A380 dedicated lounge at DXB | Maharaja Lounge at select airports |
Chauffeur Service | Complimentary in over 75 cities | Limited availability, varies by city |
Baggage Allowance | 50kg (2 pieces) | 50kg (2 pieces) |
On-ground Experience | Dedicated check-in counters, expedited security, personal escort to aircraft | Dedicated check-in, priority boarding |
Air India Economy Class VS Emirates Economy Class
Air India Economy Class VS Emirates Economy Class
Feature | Emirates Economy Class | Air India Economy Class |
Fleet | Modern, wide-body aircraft (A380, B777, B787, A350) | Mix of wide-body (B787, B777) and narrow-body aircraft |
Seat Pitch & Width | 31-34 inches pitch, 17-18 inches wide | 31-34 inches pitch, 17-18 inches wide |
Seat Configuration | 3-4-3 on B777, 3-3-3 on B787, 3-4-3 on A380 | 3-3-3 on B787, 3-4-3 on B777 |
In-flight Entertainment | ICE system with over 4,500 channels | A limited selection of movies, TV shows, and music |
Wi-Fi | Available on most flights, paid packages | Limited availability, varies by aircraft |
Dining | Multi-course meals with regional options | Multi-course meals with Indian and international cuisine |
Beverages | Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks | Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, limited alcohol |
Amenities | Blankets, pillows, amenity kits on long-haul flights | Blankets, pillows, limited amenity kits |
Seat Comfort | Adjustable headrests, some aircraft with footrests | Adjustable headrests, some older seats |
On-ground Experience | Dedicated check-in counters, family check-in | Standard check-in counters, priority for special needs |
Customer Service | Generally high-rated service, multilingual staff | Mixed reviews, service quality varies |
Overall Experience | Consistently high-rated, extensive in-flight entertainment, and modern aircraft | Decent service, improving but less consistent |
For those planning a trip to Hyderabad, exploring options on both airlines can ensure the best experience and value for money. Travelopod, being one of the best websites to book cheap flights to Hyderabad can help you get the best deal for both airlines. Ultimately, the choice between Emirates and Air India will depend on individual preferences, with each airline providing a unique set of benefits to its passengers.
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