Hey {{first name | reader}},
Happy Monday! Coffee's ready, and we're starting the week strong. Three things on the menu today:
Dan's Air India First Class review (and why the aircraft swap matters more than the airline name)
Virgin points sale ending (and what they're actually good for)
JetBlue is about to change in a way that's hard to ignore
Dan's Air India First Class review: low expectations → genuinely surprised
Dan went into Air India First Class expecting a "survive it" situation… and walked off saying it was his best Air India flight ever.
The ground experience (Mumbai T2) was shockingly polished
At check-in, staff immediately clocked him as a First passenger and assigned an escort/porter (and no, they didn't weigh his carry-on despite their strict 10kg rule).
Lounge experience was solid — including a free 30-minute foot massage (other massages were priced like a luxury scam, lol).
He was walked through the airport and guided all the way to the gate.
This is the kind of "soft product" stuff that sets the tone before you even see the seat.
The big twist: this wasn't "standard Air India First"
The flight was on one of Air India's former-Etihad 777-300ERs, and that's the entire story.
8 First Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout
Very private suite, great bedding, proper turndown vibe
What was actually great
Crew: genuinely warm, proactive, and constant "can we bring you anything else?" energy. That matters more than people admit.
Bed comfort: he slept really well, and called the seat incredibly comfortable and private.
Overall vibe: it felt like a First Class experience because of the attention and the space.
What still needs work (and it's consistent with Air India)
Catering was the weak link: not awful, but not First Class "wow." Portions felt small, presentation underwhelming, and the drink list didn't match the cabin (including champagne not being proactively offered).
So: amazing seat + amazing crew… with food that doesn't fully keep up.
The practical tip (this matters if you ever want to copy this booking)
If you want the "good" Air India First Class, you need the ex-Etihad aircraft – not the older cabin people complain about.
Dan's quick way to identify it:
Look at the business class layout.
If it's 1-2-1 staggered, that signals the ex-Etihad jet.
If it's 2-3-2, you're likely looking at the older configuration.
BOM–LHR often gets these aircraft, while routes to North America are more of a mixed bag.
And yes — he booked this as an award for roughly $1,300 out of pocket in points value, vs cash pricing that can be ~$2,500–$3,000+ (sometimes more). That "gap" is literally the whole game.
Virgin points sale ending (and what they're actually good for)
Virgin Atlantic is offering up to a 70% bonus on purchased points through December 31, 2025, with tiered bonuses depending on how many base points you buy. With this promo, you can buy points for as cheap as 11.8 USD per 1000 points.
Virgin Atlantic A330NEO business class suites
Key details worth knowing:
The promo runs through Dec 31, 2025
Bonus tiers go up to 70% (highest tier is 125K - 200K base points)
There's a one-off transaction fee and a fixed cost per 1,000 points (so you want to run the math, not vibe it)
What Virgin points are great for (real sweet spots)
ANA Business / First Class (Japan)
Business: 52,500 – 60,000 points one-way (US/Europe ↔ Japan)
First: 72,500 – 85,000 points one-way
Caveat: finding space can be hard, but it's absolutely doable with flexibility.
Air France / KLM business class
In some markets Virgin's chart can beat Flying Blue; you can even get long-haul business at 48,500 points in some US↔Europe routes
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class
Dynamic pricing, but sometimes you can see deals like 29,000 points JFK – LHR (with hefty fees).
Delta short-haul awards
Often 7,500 – 15,000 points for domestic/short routes can be strong value, but pricing is dynamic, so you need to find the cheap space
If any of these redemptions are on your mind, it may be worth taking a look at the sale before it ends!
Daily News for Curious Minds
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.
JetBlue is about to change in a way that's hard to ignore
Starting in 2026, JetBlue plans to add a real Domestic First Class cabin on most of the planes that don't already have Mint. Not lie-flats — think the standard big recliner seat up front — but still: it's a major shift for an airline that's spent years being the "we don't do the traditional class system" brand.
JetBlue chose the Collins Aerospace MiQ seat
Here's why I think this matters:
1) JetBlue is leaning into premium travelers. This is a very clear signal that they want more paid upgrades, more corporate flyers, and a stronger "front cabin" offering — not just the best economy experience.
2) Economy may quietly get less special. Whenever an airline adds a new cabin, something has to give. That often means fewer seats with extra space, or slightly tighter economy over time. JetBlue's economy product has been its identity — so if that changes, the airline feels different.
3) Mint doesn't go away — it gets positioned even higher. Mint stays the flagship on the routes that have it. A domestic First cabin gives JetBlue a middle step between "economy" and "Mint," and it makes Mint feel like the true premium splurge.
If you fly JetBlue a lot, 2026 is the start of a new chapter: less "everyone gets a great seat," more "pay to move up front."
That's it for today. More deals and strategies coming your way on Wednesday.
Catch you in the clouds,
Tomi