Prepare to be disappointed if you wish to fly first class with Jet Airways from London to Delhi or Mumbai over the coming months. There are going to be a number of days when this privately-owned Indian carrier will substitute its three-class B777-300ER for a smaller two-class A330-200 aircraft which comes without first class seating.
The move, described by Jet as a “seasonal adjustment,” comes at a time when fewer passengers are travelling to or from India.
Jet Airways operates the London-Delhi route once daily with London-Mumbai served twice daily.
Between London Heathrow and Delhi the 226-seater A330-200 will operate flight 9W121 at 2050 and inbound flight 9W122 at 1340 on every Tuesday, Wednesday between February 16 and February 24. The A330-200 will also appear on these two days for the period between May 4 and September 29. Flights at other times are rostered for the 312-seater B777-300ER.
Between London Heathrow and Mumbai the change affects only flights 9W119 departing at 1005 and inbound flight 9W120 leaving India at 0235.
The A330-200 will operate these two flights on this route on February 4 only. Thereafter it will appear on Tuesday and Wednesday from March 2 until April 30 and again from October 5 until November 30.
Jet Airways will benefit as the Airbus is potentially more lucrative to operate than the B777. The former has a higher ratio of business to economy class seats. The A330-200 accommodates 30 business and 196 economy class passengers compared to the Boeing’s 30 and 274 respectively.
Business class passengers will find the same fully flat seating disposed herringbone style on the Airbus. Layout is three across (1-1-1) as against four across (1-2-1) for the Boeing.
The economy class layout is eight across (2-4-2) on the Airbus compared to nine across (3-3-3) on the Boeing.
All the above information has been verified by Jet Airways. But bear in mind that for operational reasons there can be last minute plane changes.
For more information visit jetairways.com.
Report by Alex McWhirter
