FIRST FLIGHT UPDATE : Operated as AI 161 of January 6. Dep BOM 1330LT Arr LHR 1730LT.

NAME UPDATE : The first aircraft (VT-AIK) has been christened "Megh Malhaar" after the Indian raga melody of the same name. The second aircraft (VT-AIJ) has been christened "Neelambari".

Air India's first Boeing 777-200ER arrived in India on December 24, 2004 and entered service
on the Mumbai to London Heathrow route in early January.

The aircraft was painted by Aviation Exteriors in New Iberia, Louisiana and ferried from KARA-KJFK
on December 16 operated by Southern Cross Aviation as SXA 180.

Delivery flight BOE 59 departed KJFK at 2040LT on December 23 and arrived VIDP at 1925LT on December 24. Ferry flight continued on to VABB and arrived at 0200LT on December 25. The aircraft became the third Air India aircraft to fly nonstop between the USA and India after VT-ESM and VT-EVA who did it on their delivery flights in 1993 and 1996 respectively.

The aircraft will retain United interiors for now with 12 First Class, 49 Business Class and 215 Economy Class seats.

Mike McLaughlin of Rampslides.com got some great pictures of the aircraft while she sat at JFK.

(Photos are featured under license from Mike McLaughlin. No copying or reproduction allowed.)

Hawk21M stole this great shot of her on arrival at Mumbai on Christmas morning using his cameraphone.

He also managed to sneak another great daytime view of her on the following afternoon.

KATC Television did a feature on the aircraft as she departed from New Iberia.
Picture Courtesy KATC Television.

Karan Bindra got this picture of the second aircraft at Mumbai on 17 February.

 

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