Air India 787 Dreamliner Business Class Review: Chennai to Singapore

Ever since I flew Jet Airways Domestic Business Class, I had been eager for an international journey to experience international business-class products, where you often get the best value for money or miles. I had hoped to try Jet Airways’ wide-body business class, but the Air India 787 Dreamliner fit our schedule and budget.

This is my experience flying Air India International Business Class on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Chennai (MAA) to Singapore (SIN) during my trip to Singapore and Malaysia.

Booking

• Cost: Economy ticket (7,000 INR) + 33,000 Air India miles for upgrade

I originally booked an economy seat using HDFC Diners credit card reward points and later upgraded to business class using 33,000 Air India miles I had accrued with the SBI Air India Signature Card last year. The upgrade took about ten minutes on the phone with customer care. Considering the revenue price of a business-class ticket, the redemption value worked out to roughly 0.50 INR per mile, which I found reasonable.

• Flight: Air India AI 346
• Route: MAA – SIN
• Seat: 3J (Business Class)
• Depart: 23:35 — Arrive: 18:30
• Revenue Ticket: ~24,000 INR
• What I Paid: 0 INR (credit card points + Air India miles)

Air India Business Class – Ground Experience

1. Dedicated Check-in

There was no queue at the regular counter, and because I was traveling with a friend in economy I initially checked in there. When the agent learned I had a business-class seat, I was directed to the business counter and received my boarding pass and an invitation to the Maharaja Lounge within minutes. Note that Chennai did not have a fast-track business-class security lane like Mumbai.

2. Air India Lounge

The Maharaja Lounge offered comfortable seating but the food selection was disappointing and the staff could be better. Because of that, I ended up spending most of my time in another lounge nearby.

3. Boarding Gate

Boarding began around the time we reached the gate, about 15 minutes late due to weather. While most passengers boarded, my friend lingered taking photos. The gate staff noticed my business-class boarding pass and were attentive, prompting me to board promptly.

Air India Business Class – In-Flight experience

I boarded via the front door and turned left into the business-class cabin, which features 16 seats in a 2-2-2 layout. The cabin was already full by the time I entered and welcome drinks were being served, so I should have boarded sooner.

1. The Cabin

The cabin was mostly occupied by Singaporean passengers, with few Indians visible. I settled into seat 3J. One feature I appreciated on the 787 was the electronic window dimming, which lets you adjust cabin light without pulling down a shade—useful for wearing glasses and wanting to look outside without changing lenses.

2. The Seat

The seat converts to a full flat bed via controls on the armrest, and I enjoyed testing the different settings. There was storage beneath the ottoman and beside the monitor. The wired remote for the IFE was slightly faulty on my seat, preventing the location-tracking screen from working; the crew acknowledged the issue but couldn’t provide a fix.

Two pillows were provided—a small soft one and a larger firm one—and overall the seating and bedding made for a comfortable flight.

3. Welcome drink

Shortly after settling in, I was offered coconut water or orange juice and chose coconut water. It was fine and refreshing.

4. Cold Towel

A cold towel followed a few minutes later, presented neatly. Takeoff was smooth—one of the smoothest I’ve experienced—thanks in part to the Dreamliner’s design.

5. Champagne

When the drink service began, the crew offered a selection from their cart. As a teetotaler unfamiliar with many options, I asked for “a beginner’s champagne.” The crew recommended one, and it was served in a wine glass with salted almonds and nuts. The almonds were surprisingly crisp and excellent. I enjoyed a few sips of the bubbly and then switched to grape juice; the crew checked back to ensure I liked the champagne, which was a nice touch.

6. Food

For the main meal I chose the Indian non-vegetarian option; a neighbor chose the continental option. The main difference was rice type—sambar rice for mine and plain rice for the continental option. My tray included breads, cut fruits, sweets, and a hot dish with poriyal, sambar rice and fried chicken. The payasam dessert was particularly good. Service timing and plate clearance were well-managed.

7. IFE & Sleep Quality

The in-flight entertainment library had a solid selection of movies, though I didn’t use the provided headphones. I converted the seat into a flat bed for a nap and ended up sleeping much longer than intended—about an hour—which was a very restful break at 40,000 feet.

During descent into Singapore the aircraft circled an island briefly before receiving clearance to land. The views while approaching were memorable, with many ships visible below and clear cityscapes as we descended.

Bottomline

Given Air India’s mixed reputation, I boarded with modest expectations but found the seat, food and service to be solid. Overall, Air India International Business Class exceeded my expectations in several areas and offered good value for the miles spent.

• Cardexpert Rating: 4/5

This business-class flight was made possible by miles earned via the SBI Air India Signature Credit Card. While I’m pleased with the redemption, I believe I could sometimes get higher value on other Star Alliance carriers. If you have suggestions for future redemptions, please share your thoughts.

Have you flown Air India Business Class or are you planning to? Feel free to share your experience or questions in the comments below.