For a recent flight connecting through Delhi, I flew Air India’s Boeing 777-300ER first class on the 9hr25min route from Delhi (DEL) to Frankfurt (FRA).
My flight didn’t exactly go as planned. Initially it was scheduled to be operated by one of the carrier’s ex-Etihad Airways Boeing 777-300ERs, featuring first class suites with doors. However, a few days before departure, the flight was swapped to a 777-300ER with Air India’s old first class, which isn’t exactly industry leading.
That said, I was still looking forward to checking out Air India’s updated first class soft product, given how impressed I was by my Air India A350 business class flight several months back.
Unfortunately, this flight left me underwhelmed. On the plus side, the crew was friendly, I was the only first class passenger, I got a great night of sleep, and the cabin wasn’t actively falling apart. That said, Air India puts virtually no effort into the first class soft product. The airline has done an amazing job overhauling its business class, but there’s almost no differentiation for first class — except a slightly better alcohol selection. As things currently stand, business class is definitely more impressive than first class on a relative basis.
How I Booked My Air India First Class Ticket
I redeemed Air Canada Aeroplan points for this flight. Specifically, I booked the following for 75,000 Aeroplan points plus $53 in taxes and fees:
7/17 AI2025 Delhi to Frankfurt, departing 3:55AM, arriving 10:40AM
For an international first class ticket, that’s quite good value, even if Air India first class isn’t much to get excited about. I ticketed this a little under two weeks before departure, though award space had been available even earlier — there’s simply not much demand. Aeroplan points are easy to earn, as the program partners with most major transferable points currencies.
Air India First Class Lounge & Boarding
Air India’s Maharaja Lounge in Delhi — including both the first class section and business class section — is Air India’s new flagship lounge, and the airline did a stellar job with the facility. The first class lounge ranks among the best in the world.
Air India also deserves credit for its ground experience. Since I was in international transit on a separate ticket, I didn’t go through the typical check-in process. However, I was transported from the lounge to the gate by golf cart and had a porter assist with luggage. In the lounge, staff asked whether I wanted to board first or last — I chose first, and they held boarding until I arrived at the gate. My flight departed from gate 24, with boarding starting at 2:55AM, a full hour before departure.
Air India 777 First Class Cabin & Seats
I boarded through the forward left door and was immediately greeted by cabin supervisor Ritu, who escorted me to my seat. Air India’s 777-300ER first class cabin consists of just four seats in a single row in a 1-2-1 configuration — similar in layout to Air France’s La Premiere first class, though that’s where the similarities end.
The seats have 80 inches of pitch and 23 inches of width, making them super spacious and genuinely comfortable. Privacy is limited — no doors and modest partitions — but when you’re the only passenger in the cabin, that’s a non-issue.
If you’re traveling with a companion, the center section allows you to sit together — something many newer first class products don’t accommodate. That’s a meaningful advantage of this older cabin layout.
Solo travelers are best off in a window seat — I selected 1A. The first thing that stood out was the cabin’s condition. There have been many reports of Air India’s 777 first class cabins falling apart. While the full retrofit of these aircraft has been massively delayed, the planes have undergone mild refreshes that do make a difference. The cabin wasn’t cutting edge, but most things were functioning as they should.
Immediately to the side of the seat is an enclosed area housing the entertainment controller, AC and USB-A power outlets, and headphone jack. The armrest includes a small controller for seat functions. Outdated tech, but functional.
The tray table folds out from the side of the seat and is noticeably heavy — awkward to maneuver, and the far side had a tendency to sag when anything was placed on it. I ended up keeping most items on the left side of the table.
There’s also an additional enclosed storage compartment to the side of the seat.
An open closet area allows you to hang clothes.
Air India also features individual air nozzles on its 777s — a small but appreciated comfort feature that many carriers have dropped on newer aircraft.
Air India 777 First Class Entertainment
The in-flight entertainment system is dated but functional, with a monitor built into the seat and a handheld controller stored in the side compartment. Content selection was adequate for the roughly nine-and-a-half-hour flight, covering a range of movies, TV shows, and music.
Air India First Class Amenities
Amenities were serviceable but not remarkable. Upon boarding I received a pillow, blanket, and amenity kit. The kit contained the basics — eye mask, earplugs, socks, and a few toiletry items — without anything that felt particularly premium or distinctive. The bedding was comfortable enough to support a solid night of rest.
Air India 777 Departure from Delhi
The flight departed Delhi at 3:55AM. Given the early hour, the airport was relatively quiet. Pushback was on time, and the flight got underway without notable delay.
Air India First Class Breakfast Service
Shortly after departure, the crew offered a pre-sleep snack and drinks service. The alcohol selection was the one area where first class showed a meaningful step up from business class. The food, while decent, was not memorable and presented without much ceremony or attention to detail.
Air India 777 First Class Lavatories
The first class lavatory was clean and well-maintained throughout the flight, stocked with basic toiletries. It’s a standard lavatory — no particularly notable features — but was kept tidy by an attentive crew.
Air India 777 First Class Bed
One genuine highlight of this flight was the sleep. With 80 inches of pitch, the fully flat bed is long enough for most travelers, and the combination of a good mattress pad, pillow, and blanket made for a surprisingly restful few hours. I woke up feeling genuinely rested, which counts for a lot on an overnight flight.
Air India First Class Lunch Service
A second meal service was offered closer to arrival in Frankfurt. The menu featured Indian and Western options. Presentation was fine but again unremarkable — nothing to suggest the airline is investing in its first class dining experience the way it has in other areas. The food was edible and portions were adequate, but it lagged well behind what you’d expect from a true first class product on a major long-haul route.
Air India First Class Crew & Service
The crew was the brightest spot of this flight. Cabin supervisor Ritu and her colleagues were warm, proactive, and genuinely hospitable throughout. Being the only first class passenger meant I received attentive service, but the crew’s friendliness felt authentic rather than purely situational. Air India’s investment in crew training is evident, and if the airline applies the same focus to its first class hard and soft product, it could become a genuinely competitive offering.
Air India 777 Arrival in Frankfurt
The flight landed in Frankfurt on schedule at 10:40AM. The arrival process was straightforward, with no notable issues on disembarkation.
Bottom Line
Air India’s 777-300ER first class is a product caught between eras. The seat is spacious and functional, the crew is excellent, and the ground experience in Delhi is genuinely world-class. At 75,000 Aeroplan points plus $53 in fees for a longhaul first class ticket, the redemption value is strong. However, the soft product — dining, amenities, and in-flight experience — offers almost no meaningful upgrade over business class. If Air India pairs its forthcoming new first class hard product with a properly elevated soft product, it could be a real contender; as it stands, first class passengers are paying a premium for little more than a bigger seat and a better wine list.
