My journey on Air India AI142 in business class from Paris Charles de Gaulle to New Delhi began at Terminal 2C, which serves several international carriers. I arrived about three hours ahead of the scheduled departure. Air India had clearly marked business class check-in counters, which were nearly empty at that hour. The check-in agent was polite and processed my boarding pass and bag tags quickly, though the interaction was more functional than warm. Priority tags were added to my luggage, and I was handed a lounge invitation for the Paul Maxence Lounge, which Air India uses at CDG.
Once inside, the lounge presented a modern but modest setting. It’s not a flagship space by any means, but it was relatively quiet and clean. Seating was ample with armchairs and dining-style tables, though power outlets were sparse and Wi-Fi wasn’t particularly fast. The food and beverage options were average: there were sandwiches, pre-packed cold salads, chips, pastries, soft drinks, and a few alcoholic selections including wine and basic spirits. A coffee machine served passable espresso, and staff kept the buffet area tidy. However, the lounge lacked showers, which might be a downside for long-haul travelers looking to freshen up. Overall, the Paul Maxence Lounge offered a quiet space to wait, but it lacked the premium feel of a dedicated international business class lounge.
Boarding for AI142 was announced on time, and business class passengers were given priority access. The process was somewhat disorganized—there wasn’t much signage and gate agents didn’t clearly manage the lines—but I boarded without delay. Once onboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a traditional Namaste greeting awaited from one of the flight attendants. The business class cabin has a 2-2-2 layout, which immediately suggested this wouldn’t be the most private of premium cabins. The seats are fully lie-flat but lack direct aisle access for window seat passengers, which is a disadvantage if you’re traveling solo.
The seats themselves were wide and well-padded, with sufficient legroom and a decent recline-to-flat-bed transition. Upholstery was in brown and beige tones, typical of Air India’s dated but serviceable cabin styling. Each seat had a personal screen, though the resolution was low, and the system lagged considerably. Waiting at the seat were a large pillow, a thick blanket, and a Tumi amenity kit that included essentials like a dental kit, socks, an eye mask, earplugs, and some lip balm. Noise-canceling headphones were provided, but they were flimsy and not effective at all, so I relied on my own pair. A welcome drink was offered—orange juice, water, or sweet lime—but there was no champagne or pre-departure alcohol offered, which was a bit of a letdown for a business class cabin.
The meal service commenced about 45 minutes into the flight, starting with warm nuts and a choice of drinks. I opted for the Indian chicken dinner. The appetizer was a serving of chicken tikka with a small salad, followed by a main course featuring chicken tikka masala, jeera rice, mixed vegetables, and naan. The flavors were bold and satisfying, with the chicken well-cooked and the spices authentically Indian. It was served hot and reasonably well-presented, easily the culinary highlight of the flight. For dessert, I had the chocolate cake which was excellent as well as some fresh fruit.
Cabin service during the meal was competent but minimal. Crew checked on passengers during meal delivery and cleared trays efficiently, but they weren’t particularly proactive. Service was better than what I had experienced in the past with Air India, yet still lacked the attentiveness and polish found on top-tier airlines. Once the meal service concluded, lights were dimmed for the overnight portion of the flight. I converted my seat to a lie-flat bed. The seat padding was decent, and the cabin temperature remained pleasantly cool. With the Dreamliner’s lower cabin altitude and quieter engines, sleep quality was surprisingly good. I managed a solid five hours of sleep, though the lack of privacy and footwell space might be an issue for taller or larger travelers.
The in-flight entertainment was definitely one of the weakest aspects of the flight. The selection was limited, with only a handful of recent Hollywood and Bollywood films, and very few international or contemporary TV shows. The touch screen was sluggish, and the user interface was outdated. There was no onboard Wi-Fi, which in 2025 is frankly inexcusable for a premium international route. If you’re planning to work or stream content during the flight, you’ll be disappointed. I recommend downloading content in advance or bringing your own device for entertainment.
About 90 minutes before landing, a light breakfast was served with yogurt, a croissant, and fruit. It was light, tasty and a nice way to ease into the morning. Tea and coffee were offered, and the quality was decent. The crew distributed immigration forms and made announcements about arrival procedures in New Delhi, maintaining a smooth and timely cabin atmosphere.
We landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport on time. Business class passengers disembarked first. To summarize, Air India’s business class on AI142 offers a mixed bag. On the plus side, the flat-bed seats, authentic Indian meals, and timely operations were all commendable. Sleep quality was good thanks to the Dreamliner’s cabin environment, and check-in and baggage handling were efficient. However, the product lags in several areas—particularly the outdated entertainment system, lack of privacy in seating, inconsistent service quality, and a basic lounge experience at CDG. Would I fly Air India business class again on this route? If price and schedule were favorable, yes—but only with managed expectations.
