Maharaja gets new clothes, and also video on demand

Mumbai: At Rs 300 crore, this is an expensive makeover, but fit for the Maharaja.
At the Air India engineering base at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, a Boeing 747-400 is getting the final touches after an exhaustive facelift, underway since February 1: The cabin is upgraded with all new economy seats, cushions and upholstery; the state-of-the-art i4000 Thales In-Flight Entertainment system is installed on every seatback including those in economy class, with audio and video on-demand, gaming and other interactive entertainment. There are microwave ovens for the business and first class galleys, brand new red carpets everywhere—even the staircase leading to the upper deck has been replaced.
As Air India readies to take on the world after its merger with Indian, all six Boeing 747-400s it owns—all its other aircraft are on lease—will soon be given the de luxe appearance.
“The prototype aircraft will be ready to take to fly on Wednesday,” said V Thulasidas, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, after inspecting the progress on the refurbishment underway at the airline’s hangar. “While Air India reconfigures VVIP aircraft as per the need, this is the first time we are undertaking such a major in-house overhaul of our passenger aircraft,” he added.
25/05/07 Lekha Agarwal/Mumbai Newsline

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Categories: Air India May 2007, New May 2007