Air India to introduce new Dreamliner aircraft on international routes from February
Air India has announced that it will deploy a new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on international long-haul routes from February this year, making it the first Dreamliner to join its fleet post-privatisation.
The move is part of the airline’s broader efforts to upgrade its fleet and improve its passengers’ overall flying experience.
The first line of the aircraft was officially delivered to Air India on January 7 at Boeing’s Everett factory in Seattle, United States. Following the transfer, the Dreamliner landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on January 11, completing the 16 hours and 58 minutes of non-stop ferry flight.
“The new Boeing 787-9 is expected to enter international long-haul commercial service in February 2026 and the operating schedule will be announced shortly,” the airline said in a press release.
The aircraft will feature three cabin classes and custom-made interiors.
According to the airline, the new aircraft comes with 296 seats in three cabin classes: Business, Premium Economy and Economy. It also features custom-made cabin interiors installed directly on Boeing’s production line.
More details about the aircraft are still awaited, which the company says will be announced in the coming weeks.
In aviation, line conformance refers to an aircraft produced specifically for a particular airline. Air India last received a line-up Dreamliner in October 2017, when the airline was still state-owned. PTI reported.
However, the airline was later acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, which continues to operate. The company expects five more wide-body aircraft to be put into service this year, including the A350-1000 and B787-9s.
Air India places order for Airbus and Boeing aircraft
Air India has also ordered 350 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft. Six wide-body A350s from the Airbus order have been added to the Air India fleet. Meanwhile, 51 narrow-body B737-8s were delivered to Air India Express, Air India’s low-cost subsidiary owned by Tata Group, which focuses on short- and medium-haul routes.
Additionally, Air India’s older B787-8 aircraft are also being refurbished, meaning upgrades are being made to their cabins, interiors and in-flight systems. Most of these aircraft are expected to complete the process and return to service in 2026 with a complete refurbishment, the company said.
“By the end of this year, approximately 60% of our wide-body fleet will have modern interiors,” the statement said.
Air India operates 26 B787-8s and six B787-9s, which were earlier part of Vistara and have since been merged with the airline. Air India Group currently has over 300 aircraft, including 185 aircraft operated by Air India and the rest operated by Air India Express.
