Air India introduces restaurant-style fine dining in business class on long-haul flights

Air India is introducing a restaurant-style, multi-course dining service for Business Class passengers on select long-haul international flights, beginning with routes between India and the United Kingdom. The service replaces conventional tray-based meal presentation with individually plated courses, linen-covered tables and dedicated tableware. Announced on October 22, 2026, the initiative will initially cover flights connecting India with London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Birmingham. Air India plans to expand the service progressively across its Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft, according to the airline's announcement. What changes for Business Class passengers? The new service introduces a more structured dining format, with appetisers, main courses and desserts served individually rather than presented together on a conventional meal tray. Tables will be laid with linen, while dedicated tableware will be used for different courses. The airline says the service is designed to give passengers greater flexibility to enjoy meals at a more leisurely pace during long-haul journeys. The change comes as airlines continue to differentiate their premium cabins through onboard dining, seating, service and other passenger amenities. For travellers on longer international flights, meal presentation and the way courses are served can form a significant part of the overall cabin experience. New tableware draws on Indian design The dining service also includes a new collection of tableware developed for Air India's Vista Verve service. The collection features separate plates for appetisers, main courses, snacks, desserts and cheese, alongside a signature glass and a specially designed espresso cup. One distinctive element is the Martaban-inspired cruet set. The design takes its cue from traditional Indian storage jars associated with preserving food and family recipes, adapting the familiar form for use onboard aircraft. The collection is intended to give the dining service a consistent visual identity while incorporating references to Indian design and hospitality. India-UK routes to receive the service first The initial rollout on flights between India and the UK places Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham among the first destinations covered by the new service. Air India has said it will progressively extend the experience to additional international long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes. The wider expansion is expected to take place across selected Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The announcement does not specify a complete rollout timetable for individual routes or aircraft. Passengers planning to travel should therefore check the details of their flight and cabin before assuming that the enhanced dining service will be available on a particular journey. Part of Air India's wider cabin upgrade The dining changes form part of Air India's broader effort to update its passenger experience as new aircraft join its fleet and existing aircraft undergo cabin upgrades. The airline has also highlighted investments in food and beverage menus, wine selections, tea offerings and other onboard services. The latest announcement focuses specifically on how Business Class meals are presented and served, rather than announcing a new menu of dishes. For passengers, the distinction is important: the headline change is the introduction of a restaurant-style, course-by-course dining format, supported by new tableware and a different table setting. As the service expands beyond the initial India-UK routes, its availability across Air India's international network will depend on the airline's rollout plans and the aircraft operating each flight.