NEW DELHI: Air India has decided to keep the legacy of Vistara alive even as the joint venture (with Singapore International Airline) carrier will be operating its last flight on November 11.
It has been decided that Vistara aircraft operated by Air India will be identified by a special four-digit Air India code beginning with the digit “2”. For instance, UK 955 will become AI 2955, helping customers to identify after November 12.
The routes and schedule operated by Vistara aircraft will continue to be the same, alongside the Vistara in-flight experience that includes the product and service such as menu and cutlery on the Vistara aircraft. It will also be serviced by the same crew. The existing members of Club Vistara will be transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns program. With this merger, Flying Returns will also evolve into an all-new avatar ‘Maharaja Club’.
Air India in August had said that the merger between Vistara and Air India is likely to be finalized on November 12. All Vistara flights from September 3 are being booked through the Air India website or app.
Following Vistara’s last flight on November 11, Air India will take over all of Vistara’s aircraft and operate under its brand. This would mark an end to the 10-year run of Vistara during which it established itself as a premium full-service carrier.
The merger was set in motion when Tata Group acquired Air India from the Indian government in January 2022 and was first announced in November 2022. Once the deal is complete, Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1% stake in Air India.