NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Air India on Monday unveiled the custom-styled cabin interiors of its first line-fit Boeing 787-9 aircraft built specifically for the airline, marking a key milestone in its ongoing transformation under Tata Group ownership.
The aircraft, registered as VT-AWA, was delivered on January 11, 2026, flying nonstop from Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington, to Delhi. It will enter commercial service on February 1, operating flights between Mumbai and Frankfurt.
Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson described the delivery as a “significant moment” in the airline’s five-year Vihaan.AI transformation programme.
“This is the first production widebody aircraft designed by and for Air India from our 470-aircraft order,” Wilson said. “It underscores our commitment to delivering a world-class physical product and inflight entertainment experience to complement the warm Indian hospitality already delivered by our crew.”
New standard for the Dreamliner fleet
The newly unveiled interiors will become the standard across Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet. In addition to 19 more new 787-9 aircraft on order, all 26 of Air India’s existing Boeing 787-8 aircraft will be retrofitted with the same cabins and inflight entertainment systems. The retrofit programme is already underway, with the first upgraded aircraft expected to return to service in the coming weeks and the full fleet by mid-2027.
The new Boeing 787-9 features 296 seats across three cabin classes—Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. All seats are equipped with Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment system and offer Bluetooth headphone pairing, a first for Air India across all cabins.
Business Class suites and upgraded comfort
The Business Class cabin includes 30 private suites arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, offering direct aisle access for every passenger. Each suite features a sliding privacy door, a fully flat 79-inch bed, a 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, wireless charging, fast-charging USB-A and USB-C ports, and ample storage.
Design elements draw from Indian architectural traditions, including a feature lamp inspired by Air India’s jaali pattern. However, Air India noted that the privacy doors are currently unavailable for passenger use pending regulatory approval, though all other suite features remain operational.
Premium Economy offers 28 seats in a dedicated 2-3-2 cabin with 38-inch pitch, enhanced recline, adjustable headrests, calf and leg rests, and a 13.3-inch 4K screen. Economy Class includes 238 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration with 11.6-inch 4K screens and USB charging, though only 220 Economy seats will be sold on flights operated by this aircraft.
Design rooted in Indian identity
The cabin interiors were styled in collaboration with global design studio JPA Design to reflect Air India’s refreshed brand identity. The color palette features soft creams, warm golds, reds, and purples, paired with tactile materials and soft lighting to create what the airline describes as a sense of “quiet luxury” and contemporary Indian identity.
Air India has also introduced a new onboard mood lighting system developed with Tata Elxsi. Inspired by the ancient Indian concept of chakras, the system offers 10 custom lighting scenes designed to support circadian rhythms and enhance passenger wellbeing on long-haul flights.
Transformation under Tata Group
Air India, which returned to Tata Sons in 2022 after seven decades under government ownership, is undergoing a wide-ranging overhaul as part of its Vihaan.AI programme. The Air India group now operates more than 300 aircraft, serves 57 domestic and 49 international destinations, and employs over 30,000 people.
The airline has placed orders for 570 new aircraft and has already merged Vistara into Air India and AirAsia India into Air India Express. A large aviation training academy has opened in South Asia, with a new flying school and a greenfield maintenance base expected to become operational in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
With the introduction of the made-for-Air India Boeing 787-9, the airline is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the global long-haul market while emphasizing what it calls a “world-class airline with an Indian heart.”
