Air India joined Star Alliance today and from the first impressions, it looks like they have some pretty decent availability.
Looking on the Aeroplan website, it looks like most of their routes are wide open in Business Class and that no fuel surcharges are being added to the tickets. I don’t know how long that will last but maybe it will be permanent?
Take a look for yourself:
At 75,000 miles one way or 150,000 roundtrip, Aeroplan is a great option to get to India and now you can do so without those hefty fuel surcharges. The availability makes it possible to go non-stop from the US-India. Only United flies that route within Star Alliance and their availability isn’t that great at the moment!
Air India has a great Business Class product on their 787 Dreamliner and it looks like their service isn’t that bad either.
Air India also offers a First Class option on some routes that fly the 777-300/200LR. At the moment, I was able to find space for Delhi-London in First Class with the hefty UK duty tax added. There is also First Class Space to Chicago, New York and Newark!
As with all new Star Alliance members, this availability will not last! I suggest that you put something on hold soon if you do plan on going to India or beyond!