How does the 3.5 year old airline Vistara pay homage to the legacy of its parent Tata Group which is observing the 150th anniversary of its founding this year?

By painting the 22nd aircraft which joined the Vistara fleet on August 31 in new colours, getting the aircraft registered in the same registration that the old Tata Airlines aircraft had, get the cabin crew to wear old time uniforms of the 1950s and 1960s which were considered as the golden days of aviation and organise seven special flights beginning September 5 on which special menus featuring dishes that JRD Tata liked as remembered by chefs from Taj hotels will be served.

JRD known as the father of Indian aviation not only got the first pilot licence to be issued in India in 1929 he also set up Tata Airlines, the first Indian commercial carrier to transport mail and passengers within India in 1932. Vistara is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines and currently operates over 800 flights a week all in the domestic skies.

As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations the first special Vistara flight on September 5 between Delhi and Mumbai will offer Cheddar Cheese and Onion Omelette, Crêpe au Champignon, Meat Medley, Waldorf Salad, Minestrone Soup, Herb Roast Chicken, Goan Prawn Curry and Crème Caramel. These dishes were JRD Tata’s favourites and were also popular among air travellers during those times. The crew will wear vintage-style uniforms in soft colours like pale lilac from the family of Vistara brand colours. The uniforms include a beret, white pumps and a pillbox-shaped vanity bags.

While the first of the seven special flights will be operated between Delhi and Mumbai the other flights will be organised on important days which have not been made public yet.

Officials indicated that these flights will be on special days say, a special flight to mark the anniversary of JRD operating the first Tata Air Services flight from Karachi to Mumbai.

A word of caution though. If you want to be part of the celebrations do not wait for Vistara to announce special fares in Annas which were charged in those days. As a senior Vistara official joked that if the airline did charge the Anna fares the actual air fare could be higher than what is charged at the moment.

And the celebrations will not last forever but only for a year after which the aircraft in the special colours will return to Vistara’s current colours.

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