According to Anthony Toth, the founder of the Air India 747 experience back in the 1970’s, Air India could best be described as a country on wings… and perhaps one of the most unique ways to fly. A flight on Air India in the 1970’s, and even the 1980’s, was special for 3 key reasons: Culture, Design & Hospitality.
So first is Culture.
When you stepped on board their 747, the Indian culture came alive. From the vibrant and colourful Sarees of the air hostesses or the Indian-inspired menu to the movies and music selections onboard the airplane.
Next is Design
The creative team at Air India designed some of the most memorable interiors ever created.
Third is Hospitality
The welcoming smile of an Air India hostesses as she greeted you at the entry door with folded hands. I remember these small moments vividly.
Because each and every one of these elements stimulated all my senses.
Anthony Toth; Air India Experience
To Re-create The Air India Experience
Anthony Toth has spent most of his 2020 re-creating the golden Air India experience in his B747 mock up.
“While I have some experience in recreating vintage aviation for our famous Pan Am experience, I found the Air India project really challenging…because I was also recreating those special flying moments ….and this required a level a detail that I was simply was not used too.” Anthony said.
The experience focuses on every detail, the wallpaper décor, the seat fabrics, anything with the Air India logo has had to be reproduced. Every single item from boarding passes, menu cards, coasters, nut packaging, dining and glassware were custom made to resemble the former Air India service.
The Air India Experience
After few months of work, the entire B747 was transformed to the former glory of Air India B747. Different wallpaper adorned different zones of the B747. The upper deck resembles the lounge of 1970s Air India 747.
“On the trial night last October, we had only 12 guests in the cabin and 5 hostesses…and I was excited about the high crew to passenger ratio, we quickly began to understand the complexity of the service delivery.”
“For example….warm the samosa appetizer, but maintain the mango chutney cold. Or maintaining the right temperature for all our Indian bread selections (naan and roti)….But even with our entrées, keeping our Chicken Tikka warm, hot and fresh at row 1AB as well as row 4JK. We definitely had some re-heat moments in the cabin…but this is why we do the trial. So that we can get it just right.”
It takes this type of practice and service delivery to really appreciate all that goes into serving passengers on a 747. Anthony plans to continue to trial runs through 2021, with hopes to operate a fully functioning Air India experience when the pandemic is over; when his customers can safely immerse themselves and enjoy every detail in a re-created palace in the sky.
Upper Deck of Air India Experience 
Upper Deck of Air India Experience
If you’re interested in experiencing the Pan Am or Air India Experience, please leave a comment below.
Are either the Panam or Air India experiences still happening?
Air India was a one off. Pan Am – no update on resuming.
I also agree that flying Air India in the 1960s and early 1970s was truly a great experience. My first trip abroad was to Cairo, then London and then New York when I was a little girl. The Air India 707 was truly fascinating, with gracious flight attendants serving magnificent food. My second trip, to New York, on their 747 with that super low fare, was again a great experience.
Unfortunately, after that, it was all downhill. The airline fell from being amongst the best to amongst the worst. Now, with the Tatas back in charge, I pray that things will turn around. There is no reason why Air India, and in fact India, cannot be a top airline and top tourist destination. Air India should be able to compete with Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and their like.
It is time for Air India, and other Indian airlines as well, to make us Indians proud again. Jai Hind!
I agree wholeheartedly with all who said that Air India was the best experience they had in the 70’s.
I was employed by Air India in 1967 to 1975 as an Air Hostess. Those were the best days of my life, the passengers were well educated and treated us with respect and we responded giving them the best service with a smile. Those were the good old days. Things were not the same when JRD TATA was removed.
But thanks to the new buy back by the Tata’s this service will resume and good looking and intelligent cabin crew specially hostessess should be hired. If Ratan Tata hires me, I will definitely make it happen.
How cool is this!? I flew the airline’s Boeing 707s in the 1960s. I got to relive the Air-India experience in 1990, aboard one of their Boeing 747s, New York to London. The sag paneer was excellent, and the landing in LHR was the smoothest I experienced at any time. Loved the flight; loved the aircraft (Krishna Deva Raya, VT-EFU, both ways).
Wow, these pictures are so amazing. The 747 is my favorite aircraft. I cannot help but wonder what it would have felt to be inside a 747 that was so well decorated and colorful. Keep the great work going, Sam. You are a big inspiration. I hope I can meet you in person someday!
The Air India photos brought back a few memories. We flew Air India coach class JFK to Heathrow round trip in spring 1986 and the 747 looked pretty much the same as the photos, but the interior was tired and the seat fabrics were stained, worn and becoming threadbare. Our flight to London was delayed 5 hours due to a bomb scare, and when boarding our flight back to JFK at Heathrow (a stop over from Bombay), the smell of stale curry when entering the aircraft was overwhelming and I was amazed at how many Indian passengers chose to bring and prepare their own food onboard! Quite an experience and we chose BA for our future trips to London.
Wow, this is really interesting. I would definitely love to experience this. I have heard stories of outstanding and exception in-flight service of Air India in the 80s. Sad to see current state of affairs at Air India due 🙁
I flew AI several times in the 70’s & 80’s. It was a great experience. The interior, decor, flight experience, food, onboard facilities for that time…. it was superb! And as children when flying as an unaccompanied minor on many an occasion… it was a great feeling and the very best onboard service. It really was a great experience. Those days I would long to fly other competitors on those routes like Gulf Air or BOAC/ British Airways which did not measure up to AI. I don’t know if any now adults who flew AI those day remember the kaleidoscopes we got as children onboard 🙂
Not flown AI for over 30 years now but will be flying a Vande Bharat flight to India after a long time in June 2021. Looking forward to AI service again.
Sandeep…Air India flt # 855 (Emperor Ashoka) crashed the evening of New Years Day 1978 off the coast of Bombay. The same plane that I was on in 1971. I am waiting for you to apologize for your ignorance!
@Barry Owens,
It was not the Emperor Ashoka that crashed. The one that crashed was Kanishka(Emperor Kanishka perhaps). It was a B747 too. Bomb on that aircraft ripped it apart over Shannon, Ireland. It was on its way to Bombay via London from Montreal. All 329 passed away in that mishap. AI 182. The death of Air India flight 182.
He’s clearly taking about air India flight 855!!! Not air India flight 182, and @BarryOwens was right, it was the Air India 747-100, Emperor Ashoka, which crashed on New Year’s Eve of 1978, think before you speak idiot
Wow old memories revived, indeed very nostalgic 🙏🤗
🌈🍯🌻⚓🍊💐
Namaste ji
Is this a permanent or temporary rebranding of the Pan Am 747-200 at Air Hollywood? I recognize several of the stewardess/actresses from our own time at the Pan Am Experience a few years back.
This is just a one-off, the Pan Am experience should resume after covid.
So I’m confused. Are they using the same 747 mock-up for the Air India Experience that they used for the Pan Am Experience, or do they now have a second mock-up?
They use the same plane, one-off show on Air India.
I have flown by Air India only once from New Delhi to Heathrow!!! It was a mixed experience!! While the decore, food, drinks, steward behaviour was impressive The in flight entertainment system was not as most of the display units had some snag or the other. The reclining seats were also not comfortable.
For me I would prefer Emirates or Singapore Airlines orThai Air for my travel.
I flew Air India in 1985 and it was the experience I ever had in flight.
Glamorous and full of color. Bring on the 🌈 🎺 🎉 ⌚ 🙌 👰 🌿 Out with the old and in with the New.
God bless Mother 🇮🇳. 🔥🙏😇🙌🤗✌️
Dont know why the stewardess are so cocky, after all they are just glorified waiters,yet their performance is worse than a waiter.
You are the most stupid person I have found online.
A cabin crew member is not a glorified waiter. Their job is solely for the purpose of safety in case of emergencies. Any extra service that is provided is only complimentary and not what you paid for in the ticket. You have paid to be taken from point A to Point B. Stop being such an entitled idiot. You are just displaying how uneducated you are.
Any airlines air hostess need to understand they are there to serve customers. Unfortunately Indian air hostesses think otherwise. This could be due to nationalization. The moment your job is secured one starts thinking they are the boss 🙂 pitty. No wonder why I it is on the downhill.
What a idea indeed to retrieve this Maharaja Style of flying. As it says, it’s not only the destination which matters, enjoy the journey too. We know that commercial aviation industry is going through turmoil, but it’s a fantastic idea to revive the airlines and compete with world’s best airlines. Invest little, to gain more..
Traditional Inside, Global Outside..
M..
Air India is dying slowly. Atleast this will keep it alive.
My wife I took our first flight on Air India 747 from Bombay ( now Mumbai ) to NY on 10th May and untli late 80s I was regular International Traveller. . All Airline adverts said ” Service with a smile ” but it was only with Air India hostesses where the smile was felt in their eyes and demeanour throughout the flight. Their mannerisms, attire, small talk and attention towards the passengers comfort was impeccable. One felt at home away from home. Would love to relive the experience
First of all the 747s are history. Second this just does not jive with the current reputation that AI has, viz. Always irregular. What about the cockroaches in First class, surly stewardesses, stale food, smelly water, etc. Morarji Desai did not nationalize AI in 1977. I think it happened in the 50s. Jet Airways initially tried to recreate the Maharaja experience. The Middle Eastern carriers drove them out.
Air India is still d best…
I flew on Air India flight on 201h February AI 101 from New Delhi to New York under the air bubble program of Indian Government with USA.
SORRY to say but when I reached New York, I had a feeling that a prisoner feels when he is freed from jail, not because of the government norms but the behaviour of s captain or a crew member with fellow passenger.
Not to exagerate, the crew were flying as if they were forced to fly. The flight crew was supervised by I think, Mr M Prasad, and it was a pathetic experience including the supervisor while asking the crew member some help to clear the hot meal trash which they provided during flight.
Here I am not talking about the packet, wherein the trash is requured to be kept in front. But tge hot meal trash. One of the young male crew member, unfortunately I dont remember his name, bluntly refused to carry some earlier provided plastic water bottle or tissues with hot breakfast provided initially along with other trash of second meal provided by them.
Surprisingly he told me to dispose off the earlier trash myself and he will only take the stuff provided in the second meal. He himself took the bootle/ tissues in his hand and kept it back on the folding table in front of me. He and his supervisor were arrogant and started showing me tge government guidelines.
Here I am pointing towards the attitude, behaviour of the supervisor who was old and matured by age but very rough while talking.
I was travelling not because I love travelling during COVID, but I was forced to, due to emergency. In this COVID situation. But the national carrier was treating the passengers as prisoners and treating them with prejudice and force.
There arelot of things to share but today I thought of bringing this to the people so that they think twice before travelling by AIR INDIA. I WOULD NOT.
I flew from Rome to Bombay on the Emperor Ashoka in September 1971. I think that it was Air Indias 1st 747. I also think that it crashed some years later. It was a great experience at the time.
Looks like an amazing experience! I remember flying on Air India in the 80s. If you need any volunteers for these trial runs, let me know. Would love to help.
My first Air travel from chennai ro Singapore in 1984 In Air India aircraft name was Harsha Vardhana such a wonderful experience still remains a pleasant dream to me till this day. The hospitality of cabin crew is beyond my words of praise.
Fabulous! Where and when does this begin again?
We flew Air India in 1977 from London to New York. I still remember the smells of the food (in a good way)!
Wow..what a lovely description and details about Airindia B747 travel experience. I can never forget my travel by Airindia Flight No. AI 111 from Bombay to Frankfurt on 1st February, 1974. Though it was a circuitous route, Bombay, Delhi, Kuwait, Rome and to Frankfurt, I enjoyed the wonderful in-flight experience. I almost cried when Morarji Desai mindlessly nationalised Airindia in 1977…well I wish now with privatization ” Happy days are here again”…
So I take it that this means the Pan Am experience is dead?
No, It is suspended due to COVID like the rest of the aviation industry. It will be back once the City of LA allows indoor gathering.
I would love to have the experience on Air India 747 once the conditions come back to normal
Nice to see Air India getting its charm back. I flew AI during every decade 1990(first flight),1995,2000,20052010,2015.2019… not 2010.
Literally saw the legend getting week every time I flew. Was always wondering how a poor administration can bring down a great experience
I am so happy to see its getting its charm back.
Key things
1.ambiance.
2.inflight experience reflecting culture & tradition
3.hospitality. as it goes by energy old airhostress should be given more responsibility at backend than any front facing services.
Am sure AI will take next level.
Cheers… Babu
WOW. Beautifully Created. Very Truly ❣️ Your Palace In The Sky. My Favourite Bird B 747. There Will Be No Replacement To This Aircraft For Years To Come.
The experience will be great no doubt. But is that one airhostesss in dark pink saree purposely wearing that blouse as a package of entertainment??
exactly
TRULY A MAHARAJ EXPERIENCE EMBODIMENT OF NOSTALGIA AND A GOURMET DELIGHT SAVOURING THE NUANCES OF CULINARY TASTE FROM THE DIFFERENT SPOTS OF INDIA. HOSPITALITY WAS BEING WELCOMED BY THE GODS AT THE THRESHOLD BEFORING STEPPING ON BOARD A MYSTICAL PALACE OF YORE. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE MOMENTS ALIVE IN TODAY’S WORLD OF ARTIFICIAL SPLENDOUR.
I have flown Air India in the 90s both domestic and international, and continued to fly till 2014. After having flown the other newer domestic and international airlines, I would anyday say that Air India is the best. The comfort, the hospitality and the care shown by the crew both on board and on ground is still vivid in my memory. I only hope Air India gets back on its feet strongly and be the same as it was.
I have never flown on Air India. The 70s was the golden age of commercial aviation. Airlines pulled out all the stops – decor, culture, hospitality and food – to entice its customers. I would love to relive this vintage era and especially so on Air India as it is a country rich in culture.
Air India was the first carrier to connect Australia with Italy in 1978. They offered flights to Rome via Bombay using their 747 aircraft. They would give each passenger an Air India bag and offer sweets upon landing. They were one of the firsts to compete with Qantas.
My greatest wish was to fly on a 747 , I would love to experience the Air India flight . It would be a dream come true.
Very amazing recreation. The attention to detail is extraordinary.
Can’t wait to try it out once conditions allow!
I flew on Air India in the 80’s. I would love to experience it again!