Air TransportAir India begins widebody retrofit, completion set for 2028
Air India has launched the modernization of its legacy widebody fleet, starting with 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The first aircraft (VT-ANT) was sent in July to Victorville, California, for cabin refurbishment, and a second will follow in October, with both expected back in service by December 2025.
The withdrawal of aircraft for retrofitting, however, forced Air India to suspend flights between Delhi and Washington (DC) from September.
The retrofit, scheduled for completion by mid-2027, will feature a three-class layout (business, premium economy and economy) with redesigned seats, upgraded in-flight entertainment, new carpeting, curtains, lavatories and galleys, all in line with the airline’s latest product standards.
From 2027, 13 Boeing 777-300ERs will also undergo upgrades, with completion expected by October 2028. Air India says the schedule was pushed back due to supply chain delays.
The program includes reliability enhancements, such as avionics and critical systems upgrades for the 787-8s, based on Boeing’s service bulletins, to reduce operational disruptions. Seven of these aircraft will also undergo heavy maintenance (D-checks) at the same U.S. facility.
In the narrowbody segment, Air India is wrapping up the retrofit of 27 Airbus A320neos. The work began in September 2024 and has already modernized 15 aircraft, now flying with brand-new interiors on key domestic and short-haul international routes. Completion is targeted for September 2025.
Passenger Complaints
The Tata Group took over Air India from the government in early 2022 and has since promised to improve the service of the former flagship carrier, which has been criticized by its passengers for many years.
Despite announcements of large-scale aircraft acquisitions and a visual refresh, Air India has faced significant scrutiny following the June crash of a Boeing 787-8, the cause of which has yet to be determined.
About the Author
Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
