Air India unveils the new ‘chakra inspired’ bold livery A350

Air India has unveiled a modernized appearance for its aircraft as it prepares to welcome its inaugural A350 aircraft in December.

The national carrier, headquartered in New Delhi, offered travelers a sneak preview of its fresh chakra-inspired livery on Thursday.

Crafted to encapsulate “the spirit of a progressive new India,” the color scheme showcases vibrant red and elegant aubergine shades, accentuated by touches of gold. The classic Indian window shape, traditionally associated with Air India, has been envisioned as a gracefully curved golden window frame.

Adorning the tail fin, bands of the three colors run parallel, accompanied by shaded elements that lend an illusion of depth. Elaborate jaali (net) pattern intricacies, drawing inspiration from Air India’s original logo chakra, embellish the colored bands.

The wings’ chic tips mirror the tail fin’s design internally while boasting a resplendent golden exterior.
Air India’s new wordmark adorned the aircraft fuselage on both sides in bright red, complementing the red engine housings which also featured a simple gold band.
The traditional Indian window shape has also been remodeled into a sleek golden frame adorning the aircraft’s underbelly, along with the airline’s wordmark in bold letters on a bright red background, designed to be visible from the ground when flying at low altitude.

The aircraft’s tailfin featured red, purple, and gold-coloured frames, with shadows for added depth and lift, along with a jaali pattern detail, inspired by the chakra from the carrier’s original logo.

The inside of the wingtips replicated the design from the tailfin, while the exterior was painted in solid gold to convey “premium cues,” according to the airline.

“The new Air India is bold, confident, and vibrant, but also warm and deeply rooted to its rich history and traditions that make Indian hospitality a global benchmark for standards in service,” Air India CEO, Campbell Wilson said.

Furthermore, the airline revealed a new logo featuring its new wordmark accentuated by a gold window frame symbolizing a “window of possibilities.”

The rebranding is part of a comprehensive transformation plan aimed at positioning the airline as a leading international carrier and seizing a larger share of the international travel market, currently dominated by Middle Eastern carriers.

In early 2023, Air India placed a historic order for 470 aircraft, including 250 from Airbus and 220 others from Boeing, with deliveries scheduled to begin in November.

Moreover, the airline announced a $400 million programme to retrofit its current fleet of 43 aircraft with new seats, modern in-flight entertainment systems and in-flight connectivity solutions.