Air India completed a major cabin retrofit programme for its legacy Airbus A320neo fleet, marking a new milestone in the airline’s modernisation journey. The last of 27 upgraded aircraft has now re-entered service, featuring brand-new interiors, upgraded seats, and the airline’s vibrant new livery.

With this, Air India now operates 104 A320 Family aircraft, including 14 newly delivered A320neos and others integrated following the Vistara merger all featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. These aircraft together operate more than 3,000 weekly flights across 82 domestic and short-haul international routes.

The A320neo retrofit is a part of a broader $400 million fleet modernisation initiative launched in September 2024. The complete retrofit was completed in a record one-year timeframe. The project has transformed the cabins to a three-class configuration with Business, Premium Economy, and Economy sections.

Passengers can expect a completely refreshed cabin environment, with new ergonomic seats, softer lighting, and improved materials that reflect Air India’s new brand identity. The upgrade included the installation of over 3,500 new Economy seats, 648 Premium Economy seats, and 216 Business Class seats.

Each seat is now fitted with USB-A and USB-C charging ports, allowing travellers to keep their devices powered throughout the flight. Air India has also rolled out ‘Vista Stream’, its new in-flight entertainment service, enabling passengers to access nearly 900 hours of movies, TV shows, and music on their personal devices.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the retrofit marks a major step in the airline’s transformation journey. “With over 100 of our A320 Family aircraft now featuring modern interiors, our guests will enjoy a superior travel experience across our extensive network,” he said.

The airline says the cabin overhaul was designed to deliver a “consistent, world-class inflight experience” across its domestic and regional network. Over 5,000 square metres of new carpet, 15,000 metres of fabric, and 450 metres of premium leather were used in the revamp as part of Air India’s effort to redefine comfort and aesthetics onboard.

Passengers flying key domestic routes such as Delhi–Mumbai, Bengaluru–Hyderabad, and Chennai–Kolkata, as well as short-haul international destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, Malé, and Jeddah, will now experience the new cabins on every A320 Family flight.

Air India has long faced criticism for aging aircraft and inconsistent service, but the completion of this retrofit marks a visible change. The airline’s Net Promoter Score (NPS), a key measure of customer satisfaction has been consistently between 45 and 50 points in recent months, reflecting improved passenger feedback on comfort and reliability.

Air India’s next phase of fleet renewal includes the retrofit of 13 legacy A321s starting in 2026, alongside the integration of former Vistara aircraft. The airline has also begun upgrading its widebody Boeing 787-8 fleet, with the first aircraft currently undergoing refurbishment in the United States. A similar upgrade for 13 Boeing 777-300ERs will follow, with completion expected by 2028.