Air India has taken delivery of its first legacy Boeing 777 aircraft after a comprehensive heavy refresh. This essentially means having new carpets, seat covers, cushions and fixing broken seats. This initiative is part of the airline's broader strategy to modernize its fleet and enhance passenger experience.​

Comprehensive upgrades implemented

The refurbishment of the Boeing 777 includes:​

  • Cabin Interiors: Installation of new seat covers, cushions, curtains, and carpets, all reflecting Air India's updated branding.​
  • Galleys and Lavatories: Complete overhauls to improve functionality and aesthetics.​

These enhancements aim to provide passengers with a more comfortable and contemporary in-flight environment.​ These refreshed aircraft will be deployed on domestic routes for one or two days and later for ultra-long operations. The legacy B777 widebody aircraft are mainly used for ultra long-haul flights routes connecting Toronto, Vancouver (Canada) and San Francisco, Chicago, Newark and New York (US).

Air India has a total of 40 legacy wide-body planes -- 13 B777s and 27 B787s.

The heavy refresh of the B777-300 ER was done in Singapore and completed in 50 days. The heavy refresh of all the legacy B777s is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Strategic fleet modernization

This "heavy refresh" is a component of Air India's extensive $400 million refurbishment program targeting 67 legacy aircraft, which includes both narrow-body and wide-body planes. The program commenced with the refurbishment of an Airbus A320neo and is set to continue with additional aircraft in the fleet.​

Campbell Wilson, Air India's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, emphasized the significance of these upgrades, stating that the interior refit is a crucial step in enhancing the flying experience for customers and transforming Air India into a world-class airline.​

By implementing these comprehensive refurbishments, Air India demonstrates its commitment to elevating service standards and providing passengers with a superior travel experience.