Flag carrier Air India will deploy a brand new Boeing aircraft on the non-stop service between Delhi and New York that promises loads of entertainment, full-flat beds in higher classes and more leg room for economy passengers on the 15-hour flight.
The direct flight, the second such service of the national carrier, would be launched on February 8. 2008.
It started a non-stop service between Mumbai and New York last August. The Boeing 777-200 (Long Range) aircraft, which flew into Delhi about a week ago, has been fitted with the most modern facilities and equipment, the airline said on Tuesday, claiming that the flight would "redefine air travel".
While all passengers would be able to chose from 250 hours of video and 150 hours of audio programmes, each first class seat would have a pitch of 80 inches, which would transform into a fully horizontal bed, along with a 'buddy seat' to enable another passenger to hold face-to-face discussion, a release said.
The economy class seats would have "unmatched" legroom, with each of them being designed ergonomically with a therapeutic footrest, to provide comfort during the long-haul flight.
The total passengers this aircraft can carry is 238, with eight in the first class, 35 in executive and 195 in the economy, it said. The flight would leave Delhi at 0030 hrs and reach JFK Airport at 0545 hrs local time. On its return leg, it would start at 1600 hrs local time to arrive here at 1630 hrs the next day.