New Delhi | August 10, 2025 – Air India has embarked on a massive $400 million retrofit programme to modernise both its widebody and narrowbody aircraft, aiming to elevate passenger comfort and enhance operational reliability.

The first of 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, registered as VT-ANT, reached Boeing’s facility in California in July for the upgrade. A second aircraft will follow in October, with both expected back in service by December 2025, sporting fully revamped interiors and state-of-the-art systems.

According to the airline, the B787-8 retrofit — scheduled for completion by mid-2027 — will introduce a new three-class configuration comprising Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. Passengers can expect brand-new seats in every cabin, upgraded in-flight entertainment systems, redesigned lavatories, fresh carpeting, new curtains, modernised galleys, and upholstery aligned with Air India’s refreshed brand standards.

Alongside interior upgrades, Air India has launched a Reliability Enhancement Programme for its 26 legacy B787-8 aircraft. This will involve analysing maintenance and configuration records and implementing modifications recommended in Boeing’s service information bulletins to minimise operational disruptions. Seven of these aircraft will also undergo heavy D-check maintenance at the California facility during the retrofit cycle.

The modernisation drive will also include 13 Boeing 777-300ERs, with upgrades beginning in early 2027. However, supply chain issues have pushed their completion to October 2028.

On the narrowbody front, Air India’s 27 legacy Airbus A320neo aircraft are also being retrofitted. This programme, which began in September 2024, remains on track for completion by September 2025. The addition of a third maintenance line at GMR’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad has accelerated the process.

As of August 9, 2025, the airline has completed retrofits on 15 A320neos, with the 15th aircraft recently returning to service and the 16th scheduled to return by August 11. The remaining 11 aircraft will be upgraded within the next two months.

This ambitious fleet transformation marks another step in Air India’s post-privatisation turnaround strategy under the Tata Group, which aims to restore the airline’s global competitiveness. The retrofits will ensure consistent product quality across the fleet, improve passenger satisfaction, and bring technical performance up to modern standards.

With enhanced cabins, advanced technology, and a focus on reliability, Air India’s $400 million investment signals its intent to position itself as a premium global carrier once again — blending heritage with world-class travel experiences.