The first Vistara flight between London Heathrow and New Delhi took off on Saturday 29 August using a Boeing 787-9. Business Traveller took a peek inside before passengers boarded.
This Dreamliner was delivered to Vistara at the end of 2019 and after domestic training and proving flights should have been flying to London earlier this year were it not for the Covid-19 outbreak.
A second Dreamliner has now been delivered and is expected to enter international service either from Mumbai to London or to other European capitals. Both aircraft are equipped with wifi.
Until 23 October the flight is flying three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday both ways) under the UK/India travel bubble rules, but it is hoped to then move onto a more permanent winter schedule.
Currently flight times until are departing London 1535 arriving New Delhi 04.15 (+1) (Flight No UK0016) returning departing Delhi 0215 arriving LHR 0655 (Flight No UK0015).
Economy
This has a 3-3-3 configuration (ABC DEG HJK) with a 31 inch seat pitch and a 5 inch seat recline. Each seat has a USB power outlet, 12 inch HD personal entertainment screen and 6-way headrest.
Premium Economy
Premium economy has a 2-3-2 configuration (AC DEG HK) over 3 rows, so 21 seats in total. There is a 38 inch seat pitch and a 7 inch seat recline with a calf and footrest.
Each seat has a USB and AC power outlet, slightly larger 13 inch HD personal entertainment screen and a 6-way headrest. There is also a shared drinks table and a water bottle holder.
Business
This has a 1-2-1 configuration (A EF K) over 8 rows so 32 seats in total. 44 inch seat pitch The seat is a fully flat bed with 76 inch length. Each seat has a USB and AC power outlet, 18 inch HD personal entertainment screen with a video handset and 6-way headrest. There is also a personal stowage compartment, ambient seat lighting and step hole on outside of the seat to help those vertically challenged reach the overhead bins.
Due to COVID restrictions we were unable to touch the seats and are therefore unable to show the reclining for example.
The best seats can be found in Row 1 as the footrests does not taper nearly as much making it more comfortable to sleep when the seat is reclined. 1A and 1K also have an open area next to the window making it feel more spacious and light (see pic below in slideshow). Interestingly there are only privacy screens on odd rows (1, 3 etc…) so depending on whether you are travelling alone or with a companion this may be a consideration. Having said this all seats have good privacy and direct aisle access.
To see more photos, please see the slideshow below
