Vistara launching Delhi-Heathrow service
Vistara, a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, will operate special, non-stop flights between Delhi and London Heathrow from 28th August to 30th September 2020, marking its foray in long-haul international operations.
Image courtesy Vistara
The flights have been introduced as part of the bilateral ‘transport bubble’ formed between India and the UK. During the period, Vistara will fly thrice a week between the two cities - on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Bookings for these flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app and through travel agents.
The airline will deploy its brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route to provide an exceptional, non-stop flying experience to travellers in both directions. The airline also received its second Dreamliner aircraft recently, further strengthening its fleet to operate more such long-haul flights and expand its international operations. Vistara is also seeking necessary regulatory approvals to soon operate similar special flights to Paris, France and Frankfurt, Germany.
Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said: “As the world starts opening up in a phased manner following an extended global lockdown, these special flights give us the privilege of facilitating travel between the two countries. We are confident that travellers will appreciate having the choice of flying India’s only five-star airline to and from London, which also upholds the highest standards of safety and hygiene.”
“The arrival of our second Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner further strengthens our fleet and underlines our commitment to expanding globally. There is an inherent need for an Indian carrier with modern fleet, world-class cabin products and onboard service to fly non-stop on long-haul routes. Our Dreamliner aircraft help us distinguish our offering and give us a competitive edge in the market”, added Mr Thng.
Vistara will accept all eligible customers meeting visa/entry requirements in both the countries, as specified by the respective government bodies. Vistara strongly encourages its customers to fully understand these guidelines before making their bookings.
Onboard the aircraft, Vistara’s cabin crew will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoid all non-essential interaction with passengers. In line with the health and safety norms, the airline has introduced a new food & beverage service that will be offered to all customers. Aircraft interiors will be deep-cleaned after every flight using approved cleaning agents - a procedure that includes thorough sanitization of all surfaces such as seats, touchscreens, overhead bins, seatbelts, tray tables, galleys, etc.
Vistara’s Dreamliner aircraft are equipped with highly efficient airflow and filtration systems that continuously refresh cabin air with air from outside. Powerful HEPA filters trap 99.9% of particulates such as viruses (including coronaviruses), bacteria and fungi and purify the air inside the cabin every two to three minutes.
The aircraft comes in a three-class cabin configuration offering Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. While the Business Class seats recline into fully-flat beds and offer several other amenities, the separate Premium Economy cabin features seats upholstered in premium genuine leather with individually adjustable calf rests, extendable footrests, 7” reclining backrests and six-way adjustable headrests. Economy Class offers well-cushioned seats in high-quality breathable fabric that come with high literature pockets providing greater legroom.