Vistara Merger: The experience gained by Vistara passengers will continue even after the merger, Air India assures

New Delhi| The process of merger of Air India and Vistara is scheduled to be completed on 12 November. Meanwhile, Air India has made it clear that Vistara’s routes and time table as well as its in-flight experience will continue. The Tata Group-owned airline has reported that flights operated with Vistara aircraft will be coded as ‘AI2’.

The merger of the two full service carriers is scheduled to be completed on November 12. After this merger, Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1 percent stake in Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. After the merger, Air India’s vintage ‘Maharaja’ will be retained through the integrated unit’s frequent flyer programme.

“The existing members of Club Vistara will be transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns program”, Air India said in a statement. With the merger, Flying Returns will also transform into a new avatar ‘Maharaja Club’.

After the merger, Vistara’s travel experience will continue in the new venture as well, Air India has once again assured on this issue. Air India reiterates that the experience provided by Vistara will continue for customers. Air India said Vistara would be identified by a special four-digit Air India code, starting with the digit ‘2’.

“UK 955, for example, will become AI 2955 after November 12, helping customers identify them at the time of booking”, the statement said Additionally, Air India said the routes and time schedules operated by Vistara aircraft will remain the same, as will the airline’s in-flight experience, including products and services like menus and cutlery on Vistara aircraft.

There is concern among some sections whether Vistara passengers will continue to get the same services as now after the merger, as Air India, which is undergoing transformation, is facing some service-related problems in recent times.

Air India also said on 2 October that the Vistara experience would remain intact even after the merger. On Wednesday, Vistara Chairman Bhaskar Bhat said the integrated unit will share the best practices of both the airlines and the Vistara look will continue for some time. Singapore Airlines will also acquire a 25.1 per cent stake in the merged entity in the Air India-Vistara merger announced in November 2022.