Inside Air India’s biggest upgrade yet: Brand-new Boeing 787-9 arrives

New Delhi: Air India has begun 2026 with the induction of its first “made-for-Air India” Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, delivered with bespoke interiors installed directly on Boeing’s production line.

The aircraft, registered VT-AWA, arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after completing a nearly 17-hour non-stop ferry flight from Boeing’s Everett facility in the United States.

The delivery marks a key phase in Air India’s long-term transformation strategy focused on improving passenger comfort, onboard product quality, and service standards across its international network. The aircraft features a three-class configuration with 296 seats across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. The airline has confirmed that full details of the new cabin products will be officially unveiled in the coming weeks.

VT-AWA is the first of several widebody aircraft scheduled for induction in 2026. Air India expects to receive six long-haul aircraft this year, including additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A350-1000s. The cabin design introduced on the 787-9 will serve as the standard configuration for the airline’s entire Dreamliner fleet going forward.

As part of this transition, Air India is also undertaking a comprehensive retrofit programme for its existing Boeing 787-8 aircraft. A total of 26 legacy Dreamliners are undergoing full nose-to-tail refurbishment, including new interiors, upgraded seating, refreshed inflight products, and the airline’s updated livery. These aircraft will return to service in phases through 2026, with nearly 60 per cent of the widebody fleet expected to feature modernised cabins by year-end.

The newly delivered Boeing 787-9 is scheduled to enter long-haul international service in February 2026, with route deployment details to be announced shortly. The induction of factory-fitted aircraft alongside large-scale retrofitting forms a central pillar of Air India’s broader transformation under the Tata Group, aimed at building a globally competitive long-haul product for Indian and international travellers.