Vistara’s Final Descent: A Farewell Flight Full of Memories & Sweet Goodbyes
As boarding gates closed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, travelers took their seats for what would be Vistara’s last flight under its own brand, a memorable moment in the airline’s history.
Captain Adarsh Mohan announced he was piloting under the Vistara banner “one last time,” as the airline prepared for its final journey before merging with Air India.
A Nostalgic Last Flight as Brand Merges with Air India
The atmosphere on board was charged with nostalgia. Young passengers captured the moment, snapping photos of the cabin with its signature purple-orange mood lighting.
Others took selfies to commemorate the historic flight. As a special parting gesture, passengers enjoyed a complimentary dessert—a strawberry pastry with vanilla sauce—alongside the usual inflight meals and beverages.
Earlier that day, a farewell spirit had already taken hold in Terminal 2 of Bengaluru’s airport, where the Vistara flight was running late.
Boarding was delayed by nearly an hour due to air traffic congestion in Mumbai, causing a brief commotion between the ground staff and Mumbai-bound passengers.
Special Moments, Delays, and Passengers’ Emotions
Despite the delay, many travelers were in a forgiving mood, mindful of the airline’s historic last day. One passenger, a 50-year-old finance professional, commented, “Some delays can be excused for the airline today since it’s one of its last operations as Vistara. It’s one of the few brands that flyers will miss booking from now on.”
Inside the airport, the transition to Air India was already visible at the check-in counters.
As lines grew, Vistara’s staff sought assistance from their soon-to-be colleagues at Air India, who quickly stepped in, easing congestion by opening additional counters.
“From tomorrow, it’s only Air India for us, even though operational integration may take some more time. We’re excited to see how we can serve as a merged entity,” said a Vistara employee. Starting on November 12, Vistara’s aircraft would operate under the Air India brand, identified by a new four-digit flight code beginning with “2.”
Once airborne, passengers shared their sentiments. K.N. Prabhashankar, a Bengaluru-based chartered accountant who frequently flew with Vistara, remarked, “Is it Vistara’s last day today? What are the things that will change? I have been flying for the past 40 years within India, and only a few have come close to international standards.” He said he would miss Vistara, his preferred airline for trips to Mumbai.
To ease the transition for loyal passengers like Prabhashankar, Vistara’s familiar in-flight experience, including routes, schedules, cabin crew, menu, and cutlery, will continue under Air India for some time.
“It’s a day filled with mixed emotions for me,” said a member of the cabin crew. “We are among the best airlines globally. What’s heartening is I would still be able to wear the aubergine-colored uniform until February next year.”
Setting Standards and Leaving a Lasting Impression
Vistara, launched in 2015, set new standards in Indian aviation. Its founder, Ameya Joshi of aviation blog Network Thoughts, noted, “Vistara set new standards in Indian skies and pioneered premium economy in domestic aviation.
The food and service standards set it apart for most parts.” The brand’s 10-year journey, marked by its unique services and standards, culminated in the recent merger with Air India.
The merger concludes nearly two years after Tata Group and Singapore Airlines (SIA) agreed to combine Vistara with Air India, aiming to harness synergies and capture greater market share in India’s booming aviation market.
Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and SIA with a 51:49 ownership split, started with three Airbus jets and grew into a fleet of 70 planes operating 2,400 weekly flights. Over the years, it benefited from a significant investment of Rs 9,900 crore.
The transition has encountered its share of challenges, including occasional pilot pushback. Yet for passengers, the signature “Vistara feel” remains essential, with many hoping that the new merged entity retains its unique atmosphere and service standards.
Passengers on the final flights took mementos like boarding passes to mark the last time they would fly with Vistara under its own brand.
“Today, even if their tagline says ‘Fly a new feeling,’ I hope the old feeling (of flying with them) continues to remain the same,” one passenger remarked, reflecting the sentiment shared by many loyal Vistara flyers.
As Vistara’s aircraft officially joins the Air India fleet, the brand’s legacy of quality and comfort will endure in the memories of its passengers. The merger signifies a new chapter for Indian aviation, blending Vistara’s unique spirit with Air India’s established presence, offering Indian travelers an elevated and memorable experience in the skies.
