Air India expands international network with upgraded Aircraft on key global routes

Air India is on an international expansion spree as a part of its Northern Summer Schedule 2026. The airline will deploy aircraft featuring new, retrofitted, or upgraded cabin interiors on several important long-haul routes, while also increasing frequencies on select destinations.

The move is aimed at boosting capacity, improving passenger comfort, and strengthening connectivity across Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia.

From 14 February 2026, Air India’s Delhi–Tokyo (Haneda) service will be operated by the Boeing 787-9 aircraft in a three-class configuration. This will introduce Premium Economy on the route for the first time and add 2,408 seats every month between Delhi and Tokyo.

Starting 1 March 2026, the frequency of flights between Delhi and Toronto will increase from seven flights per week to ten flights per week, improving connectivity to Canada.

From 29 March 2026, the Delhi–Seoul (Incheon) route will increase from five weekly flights to six weekly flights. The recently launched Delhi–Shanghai service will also expand from four weekly flights to five weekly flights. These increases will add around 2,048 seats per month on each route.

From July, several long-haul routes will see major aircraft upgrades.

Flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow Airport will be operated by a mix of Air India’s new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Both aircraft types will feature brand-new cabin interiors. These will replace the Boeing 777-300ER currently operating on the route.

Meanwhile, daily flights between Delhi and Melbourne will be operated using upgraded Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This will introduce First Class on the route. The aircraft will feature 8 First Class suites, 40 fully flat beds in Business Class and 280 seats in Economy Class.

This change will add nearly 4,000 seats per month between Delhi and Melbourne.

From August, Air India’s Bengaluru–London (Heathrow) flights will be operated using retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft with new cabin interiors, introducing Premium Economy on the route. With this, all Air India flights to and from London Heathrow will feature upgraded or new cabin products.

On the Delhi–Toronto route, seven weekly flights will be operated using new Boeing 787-9 aircraft with a three-class configuration, including Premium Economy. The remaining three weekly flights will continue with the Boeing 777-300ER. With these changes, more than half of Air India’s North America flights will operate with new or upgraded cabin interiors.

Flights to Birmingham from Amritsar and Delhi, and flights to London Gatwick Airport from Ahmedabad and Amritsar, will be operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This will introduce First Class on these routes.

Air India began retrofitting its legacy Boeing 787-8 aircraft last year. A total of 26 such aircraft will receive completely new cabin interiors designed specifically for the airline, along with a repainting in Air India’s new livery. The first two retrofitted aircraft are expected to return to service in the coming weeks, with more scheduled for upgrades through 2026.

In addition, Air India expects delivery of three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. These aircraft will be delivered in a line-fit configuration, meaning they are built and fitted according to Air India’s specifications from the factory.

The expanded deployment of upgraded aircraft, higher frequencies on key routes, and steady induction of new aircraft are part of Air India’s larger transformation plan under the Tata Group.

By modernising its fleet and improving onboard products, the airline aims to position itself as a globally competitive full-service carrier while enhancing passenger comfort on long-haul routes.

With these changes in place, Air India is taking further steps to strengthen its international network and improve the overall travel experience for customers flying to and from India.