India: The premium airline Vistara, a collaboration between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines (SIA), will operate its last independent flight on November 11, 2024. Starting from the following day, all Vistara routes, ticketing, and services will be completely merged with Air India, establishing it as the sole full-service carrier in the country
In November 2022, Singapore Airlines revealed plans to merge its decade-old business, Vistara, with Tata-owned Air India, with the goal of creating a dominating full-service airline that serves both local and international markets. Despite initial optimism, the merger has encountered obstacles including pilot shortages, flight disruptions, and protests from Vistara employees over wage structure conformity with Air India.
Singapore Airlines, which already held a 49% interest in Vistara, has invested an additional $248 million to acquire 25.1% of the recently enlarged Air India. The combination of these two airlines into a single national carrier that is prepared to grow both locally and globally represents a significant change in India’s aviation industry.
Vistara’s future trip bookings ended on September 3, 2024, with tickets available until November 11. Passengers who have already booked flight bookings with Vistara for dates after November 11 will have their tickets changed to Air India as a result of the two airlines planned merger.
This modification ensures that passengers have a smooth transition, since Vistara’s operations will fully merge with Air India’s system beginning November 12.
How Air India is Facilitating the Transition for Passengers
To ensure a smooth transition for Vistara’s passengers, Air India has implemented several measures. These include deploying additional customer support resources such as help desk kiosks and staff dressed in “How may I assist you?” Air India x Vistara branded t-shirts to guide passengers at airports. The staff will work alongside airport security to direct customers with old Vistara tickets to help desks or Air India support staff.
In the near future, Vistara’s check-in counters and ticketing offices will be rebranded under the Air India name. To date, over 270,000 customers who had booked Vistara flights have been successfully migrated to Air India, and more than 4.5 million Vistara loyalty members are also being transferred to Air India’s loyalty program.
Vistara flights will now be identified by a special four-digit Air India flight code starting with the number “2.” For example, a Vistara flight that was previously numbered **UK 955** will now become **AI 2955** under the new system.
Passengers travelling from other countries can also get assistance from the support personnel. Travellers will be guided to the proper check-in locations by updated signs, and calls to Vistara’s customer support will be routed to Air India agents.
Rest assured, for the time being, your travel experience will not significantly alter if you have already made a reservation with Vistara. The Air India website or app will still allow you to easily book and manage these flights.
What does it mean for Club Memberships holders, Cardholders and Lounge access?
Travellers’ entrance to the Vistara lounge will be valid as initially reserved for those who purchased it prior to November 11, 2024. However, from November 11, Air India will manage lounge access, you will receive a refund for your reservation and need to make a new reservation with Air India.
If you are a Club Vistara member, make sure to spend your points before they expire. All Club Vistara miles earned previous to the merger will expire on December 31, 2024. The loyalty program will be merged into Air India’s Flying Returns program on January 1, 2025. Points not redeemed by the deadline will be lost.
Use your Club Vistara points to get flights, upgrades, and other benefits before the end of the year. Alternatively, transfer them to Air India’s Flying Returns program, if applicable.
Customers with Vistara co-branded credit cards should be informed that Vistara-specific advantages including priority check-in, lounge access, and mileage accumulation will expire on December 31, 2024.
To continue getting similar benefits following the merger, credit cardholders must convert to Air India co-branded credit cards.
Cardholders should redeem any remaining miles or incentives before the end of the year, and look for notifications from their card issuers concerning the transfer to Air India Cards
Farewell from Loyal Customers
As Vistara’s final days as an independent airline draw to a close, many of its loyal customers are sharing anecdotes of their trips with the airline. Passengers have paid tribute to Vistara on social media, describing how the airline brought a “new feeling” to Indian air travel. Many of these travellers have submitted photos from their Vistara vacations, expressing nostalgia for the airline’s former premium travel experience.
Vistara’s merger with Air India will signal the end of an era in India’s aviation business. The airline, which was launched in 2015 following the liberalisation of foreign direct investment laws, immediately established a reputation for providing high-quality service and cuisine. Vistara’s shutdown cuts the number of full-service airlines in India from five to one, demonstrating the important changes in the industry since the early 2000s.
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