Air India is now allowing economy passengers on Sydney and Melbourne flights to Delhi to upgrade to business class for just $799 through to September 30, 2016.
The upgrade can be purchased when you check in at the airport, or in advance at the airline’s city offices, dependent on business class seats being available on the day you fly.
Passengers will trade up from their economy seat to an 18 inch wide lie-flat bed on Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Review: Air India Boeing 787 Business (Executive) Class, Melbourne-Delhi
You’ll also be able to relax before your flight in the Star Alliance lounge, which in Sydney includes the Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand lounges.
However, both your baggage allowance and frequent flyer earning rate will be pegged to the same as your original economy class booking.
For more information on how to apply for this bargain-priced business class upgrade, contact Air India.
Also read: How to get Star Alliance Gold status in a single flight
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2011
Total posts 77
Much the same as Thai Airways long-standing practice. Mind you, Air India now flies 787s so definitely more valuable than a Thai standby upgrade
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 387
Thai also fly 787 daily in Brisbane and I think Perth and I doubt the service on Air India is as good as Thai.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Jul 2011
Total posts 16
The offer is valid till 30 Sep. To purchase an upgrade ex DEL to SYD/MEL the cost is USD700.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
Finnair did better deal for me. A week or so before departure I received a message from them with offer to upgrade HEL-BKK leg to business for $500 and it became true and fully J ticket with all baggage allowance, lounge access (with sauna) and so on. I never think even split second and my son to whom I purchased this upgrade was just wrapped up.
07 Feb 2016
Total posts 21
This is no doubt a ploy to boost premium cabin load factors as Sydney and Melbourne routes have been extremely loss making for Air India. AI's business class product even on the ultramodern Boeing 787 Dreamliner is sub standard to international competition. Rivals offer significantly better seats on business as well as economy, not to mention multiple connectivity options. AI has much to do if it wants a sizeable share of the Australian market; offering a $800 upgrade is just a band-aid measure.
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 61
I flew on AI Business from Sydney two weeks ago and the service was woeful with a broken entertainment controller and dirty seat. Never again.
07 Feb 2016
Total posts 21
Sorry to hear that. Its a shame that the ultramodern Boeing 787 Dreamliner isn't fitted with the product it deserves on long haul flights.
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