Vistara's New Aircraft Seating Configuration Aims to Bring Its Unique Product and Service Offer

• Stays committed to unique three-class seating configuration
• Reduces seats in premium classes to meet increasing demand in Economy Class
• Revamps menu to enhance in-flight dining experience

New Delhi, March 7, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Vistara, India’s fastest growing full service carrier, will reconfigure its aircraft to make its unique product and service offering available in more markets and expand its customer base. Starting April 2016, Vistara will reconfigure its current fleet of 9 aircraft to the new seating configuration of 8 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats and 126 economy seats. This change will raise the total number of seats on Vistara’s aircraft from 148 to 158, which is better aligned with market demand and customer needs.

Vistara is refining its route network strategy to take advantage of the unprecedented growth in travellers on many emerging routes. While there continues to be a good demand for Vistara’s unique Business and Premium Economy cabins on key routes such as between Delhi and Mumbai, the change in configuration will allow the airline to serve other emerging routes through better alignment of capacity to demand whilst satisfying the route dispersal guidelines. To maintain operational flexibility, all aircraft in the Vistara fleet will be retrofitted to the new seating configuration. This will also help the airline to maintain its market leading position in on-time performance.

Commenting on the airline’s new configuration, Vistara CEO, Phee Teik Yeoh said, “The change in our cabin configuration is a result of extensive research of the changing market environment and customer expectations. Being a young and nimble airline, we were able to adjust quickly to meet the evolving needs of the market and our customers. We remain committed to our pioneering three class product offering and will continue to provide a personalized and differentiated flying experience to all our customers.”

The reconfiguration exercise will be completed in two phases in April and July 2016. The first retrofitted aircraft will be deployed between Delhi and Hyderabad from April 2016, followed by other routes which will be announced in due course. All nine aircraft are expected to be reconfigured by 15 July 2016. Future new aircraft deliveries, the first of which is expected in Q2 of CY2016, will be also have the revised seating configuration.

Vistara’s unique product offering remains unchanged, with the continuation of the 3-class product on all aircraft, including the finest Business Class cabin and India’s first Premium Economy Class cabin in domestic services. Customers will continue to enjoy the same level of personalised and seamless service that has set the benchmark for domestic air travel in India.

Taking its customer centricity a notch higher, Vistara is also re-launching its in-flight menu which blends traditional choices with unconventional options with effect from 1March 2016. Vistara has thoughtfully curated the new menu which features mouth-watering dishes reflecting contemporary Indian dining at its best – traditional yet modern, local yet global, familiar yet different. To bring the inflight dining experience on-board Vistara to a whole new level, the airline will be offering seasonal and festive delicacies such as Arabic Mezze, Norwegian Salmon, Corn & Soya Pulao, Amti, Fish & Prawn curry etc. using the choicest of ingredients providing a wide range of options to the passengers.

In the coming weeks, Vistara will also be enhancing its product and service offerings to further delight its customers. In March 2016, Vistara will start offering its innovative Inflight Entertainment System, which enables Wi-Fi streaming of audio and video content

to customers’ personal electronic devices. It will also be opening its signature lounge for Business Class customers and Vistara Gold Club members at its hub in Delhi T3. The airline will also offer more choices of destinations and increased frequencies on key routes, which will almost double its domestic capacity in 2016.

Notes to editor:

Vistara offers 319 weekly flights to 12 destinations in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Goa, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar and Varanasi. An airline admired by corporate and leisure travellers alike, Vistara has already flown more than one million happy customers.

Vistara has redefined flying experience in India by being:

• The first airline to introduce Premium Economy in India’s domestic skies at a competitive price
• The first to offer a seamless boarding experience through designated queues and various check in options including auto check-in
• The first to launch IntelliCabin™ in-flight entertainment (IFE) system in partnership with BAE systems which integrates inflight wireless streaming of preloaded content to customers’ personal electronic devices (PEDs) across all three cabin classes in its fleet of A320 aircraft. The system also includes fully integrated Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablets for Business Class customers.
• The first to introduce a value based points accrual in Frequent Flyer Program, Club Vistara A user friendly mobile app packed with an array of features for customers to enable self-servicing
• The airline offering a hassle-free check-in and boarding process with thoughtfully designed on-board experience, comfortable and spacious seating
• The airline offering an interesting and innovative in-flight dining experience with a wide range of cuisines, which not only showcase the diversity of regional dishes, but also incorporates global culinary trends. Keeping customers’ preference in mind we keep introducing interesting twist to our menu.  
• The first domestic airline that started operations from Terminal 2 of Mumbai International airport and to launch the e-boarding pass facility for its customers flying out from this terminal. Hence, providing a truly international and seamless experience to its customers.
• The airline that is the new ‘king of punctuality’ having consistently achieved industry’s highest OTP and topping all airlines in past seven months.

About Vistara (TATA SIA Airlines Limited): TATA SIA Airlines Limited, known by the brand name Vistara, is a joint venture between Tata Sons Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) with Tata Sons holding the majority stake of 51% in the company and SIA holding the remaining 49%. Vistara brings together Tata’s and SIA’s legendary hospitality and  renowned service excellence to launch the finest full service carrier in India aimed at creating memorable and personalized flying experiences for its customers. Vistara commenced its commercial operations on January 9, 2015 with an aim to set new standards in the aviation industry in India. For additional information, visit www.airvistara.com

For more information, please contact:

Rashmi Soni
Head – Corporate Communications
Vistara - Tata SIA Airlines Limited
Email: rashmi.soni@airvistara.com

Bhakti Arora
Asst. Manager - Corporate Communications
Vistara - Tata SIA Airlines Limited
Email: bhakti.arora@airvistara.com
M: +91 9953229118

Annexure 1

The product

Vistara offers three distinct cabin classes to provide a personalized seamless service, which is thoughtfully delivered. The aircraft cabin has been thoughtfully designed to provide a conducive and pleasant environment for both business and leisure travelers. Regardless of which cabin class one chooses to travel, we strive to ensure that customers experience an enjoyable flight and arrive at their destination feeling relaxed.

Business Class

Vistara has brought credibility and a definite qualitative change in the way flying is perceived in India. The contemporary and classy interiors, the interplay of royal aubergine and calm grey of our Business Class seat evokes a sense of quiet elegance that resonates throughout the cabin. The three-course meal served in Business Class, with two vegetarian and two non-vegetarian choices provides a highly personalized service. The inflight dining experience is further enhanced with the artful presentation of freshly prepared food in fine bone china crockery and glassware. Customers will enjoy this modern and inviting cabin, with features including:

• 42” seat pitch, 7” seat recline
• Extendable leg rest, foot rest and height adjustable headrest with wings​
• Personal storage space at the side of the seat for small items
• Innovative Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system, with wireless streaming of content onto a complimentary Samsung Tab S 10.5” or  personal electronic devices (PEDs)

Business Class customers also enjoy:

• Dedicated check-in counters at all airports
• Priority security screening/boarding
• Lounge access
• Special dining experience meticulously served with fine linen and bone china tableware
• Choice of leading Newspapers and Publications along with our inflight magazine
• 30 kg Check-in Baggage allowance
• 7kg Hand Baggage allowance

Premium Economy Class

One of the pioneering concepts introduced by Vistara, the unique Premium Economy Class is aimed at the discerning traveller who relishes the additional space and amenities to work or relax for a slightly higher fare than regular Economy Class. As captured in the ‘Arrive Fresh’ campaign, Vistara’s Premium Economy Class provides a more exclusive experience in a dedicated cabin, with distinctive features including:

• 33 to 36 inches seat pitch (20% more leg room than regular Economy class)
• 4.5 inches seat recline
• Exclusive cabin
• More meal choices
• Specially designed seat with improved cushioned seat-bottom for enhanced comfort
• Height adjustable winged headrests with longer armrest and larger tray table
• Personal coat hook
• Innovative Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system, with wireless streaming of content onto  PEDs

Premium Economy Class customers also enjoy

• Dedicated check-in counters at all airports
• Separate boarding lane
• Priority baggage handling
• 20 kg Check-in Baggage allowance
• 7 kg Hand Baggage allowance
• Complimentary selection of F&B to delight and excite customers’ palate.
• Choice of leading newspapers and publications along with our Inflight magazine

Premium Economy Class customers also enjoy

• Dedicated check-in counters at all airports
• Separate boarding lane
• Priority baggage handling
• 20 kg Check-in Baggage allowance
• 7 kg Hand Baggage allowance
• Complimentary selection of F&B to delight and excite customers’ palate.
• Choice of leading newspapers and publications along with our Inflight magazine

Economy Class

Upholstered in genuine leather, Vistara’s Economy Class seats set a new benchmark in style and comfort. With customers' comfort our priority, Vistara’s ergonomically styled seats features:

• 30 inches seat pitch with 18 inch seat-width
• 3.5 inches seat recline with winged headrests
• Improved seat bottom cushion for support
• Innovative Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system, with wireless streaming of content onto  PEDs
• Personal coat hook
• Complimentary selection of F&B to delight and excite customers’ palate
• Choice of leading newspapers and publications along with our inflight magazine
• 15 kg Baggage Allowance and 7 kg Hand Baggage Allowance

Vistara services

Seamless Check-in experience

To ensure a hassle-free and seamless check-in experience for customers, Vistara’s innovative customer interface offers four different ways to check-in, including an auto check-in facility. The first in domestic travel in India, the auto check-in facility will automatically check-in passengers who have provided a valid email or mobile number in their booking record, 4 hours before departure. Besides web check-in and check-in via the mobile app, Vistara provides personalized service and dedicated counters, as well as designated queues, for passengers to check in at the airport.

Mobile Boarding Pass facility

Vistara and Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd. have launched the mobile boarding pass facility for Vistara’s customers travelling out of Mumbai’s T2 terminal. The first of its kind initiative at Mumbai Airport, this helps provide Vistara’s customers a truly seamless travel experience. The mobile boarding pass facility is also a time-saver for passengers and result in reduction in usage of paper boarding passes.

Signature Lounge at T3

As India's fastest growing full service carrier, our aim is to provide customer services which will bring back the joy of flying. To this end, we will soon be offering our own signature lounge in our hub in Delhi T3. Our Business Class customers and Club Vistara Gold members will soon get to indulge in a club-house like experience way beyond the conventional lounge concept. It will offer services such as business stations, wi-fi, reading room, recliner zone, VIP room, fresh food and a full-service bar. At all other airports we operate in, we have contracted global service and hospitality brands to offer lounge services.

In-flight entertainment

We will be introducing a pioneering concept of in-flight entertainment for our passengers which will redefine the in-flight experience for travellers in India. Starting in March 2016, Vistara will offer the most advanced Inflight Entertainment system, which wirelessly streams highly engaging audio and video content across all three cabins. Our customers would be able to connect to the on-board Wi-Fi network to stream the preloaded content to their Personal Electronic Devises (PEDs). Business Class customers would have a choice to stream the content on their PEDs or on a complimentary Samsung Tab S 10.5” along with headsets. The preloaded content would include short features covering genres such as Comedy, Lifestyle, Sports, and Music.

Meals and Dining

The chefs who worked on the Vistara menu have curated a special dining experience using fresh and locally sourced ingredients to prepare healthy meals to ensure that passengers arrive at their destination feeling light and fresh. An eclectic mix of international and modern Indian dishes which incorporate non-traditional ingredients for unique yet familiar flavors are on offer. The menus change every week and are only recycled afer 6 weeks. Taking its customer centricity a notch higher, Vistara is re-launching its menu blending traditional choices with unconventional options, on 1st March 2016. New offerings include seasonal and festive delicacies such as Arabic Mezze, Norwegian Salmon, Corn & Soya Pulao, Amti, Fish & Prawn curry. In Business Class, customers get a choice of two non-vegetarian and two vegetarian meals. In Premium Economy Class, there is a choice of two vegetarian and one non vegetarian means. Additionally, there are 17 special meals for customers who have special dietary, religious, or medical requirement. Customers with special dietary requirements will need to book the same at least 24 hours in advance through our Customer Service Centre.

Boarding Pass Exclusives

Vistara’s special ‘Boarding Pass Exclusives’ program enables its customers to avail exciting discounts from partners in retail, dining, travel and transport, wellness and hospitality. Vistara customers can now enjoy an array of benefits by just presenting their boarding pass at the partners’ outlets within one week of their travel. Partner brand outlets include- Da Milano, The Leela, The Body Shop, Pizza Express, Tattva Spa, Myles, Chroma, etc.

Loyalty program

Feel exclusive with Club Vistara

Club Vistara, is an innovative loyalty program specially designed to benefit the customers. Its value-based accrual scheme enables customers to earn and redeem points based on

the amounts spent on their airfares.. Keeping up with the times, Vistara has done away with physical cards. Customers can enroll for the program through Vistara website or mobile app and download their Club Vistara loyalty card. As customers get upgraded to become Silver and Gold Members, they can earn additional points and get access to exclusive privileges. Members can redeem their points for Vistara award flights & flight upgrades. Award Flight redemption is easy with the newly launched online redemption feature. CV members can also enjoy accruals & redemption on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir flights. Vistara will continue to develop more benefits for its Club Vistara members by partnering with more international airlines and non-airline partners such as hotel, banks and retailers.