The first new Boeing 787-9 operated by Air India lands in Delhi.
With the registration VT-AWA, the new aircraft has 3 cabin classes (Business, Premium Economy, and Economy) and 296 seats. An exciting new chapter in our transformation narrative begins in 2026 when the first line-fit (built for Air India) Boeing 787-9 lands at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Not only did the cockpit team, which included four Air India pilots, successfully complete a 16-hour, 58-minute nonstop ferry trip from Boeing’s Everett factory in Washington state to New Delhi, it also demonstrated the airline’s dedication to providing a top-notch flying experience. The specifics of the aircraft’s custom cabin interiors, which were fitted right on Boeing’s production line, will be revealed in the upcoming weeks. This is only the first of many milestones that will be reached during the year. Six widebody aircraft, including the recently delivered VT-AWA, will be delivered in 2026 (Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787-9).
The whole fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft will use the redesigned cabins of the Boeing 787-9 as the new standard. Accordingly, 26 of Air India’s vintage Boeing 787-8 aircraft are gradually being retrofitted. Many of these aircraft are expected to finish the program and return to service in 2026 with a redesigned nose-to-tail overhaul, complete with a new livery in the new Air India logo. This basically means that about 60% of widebody fleet will have contemporary interiors by the end of this year. The operating plan for the new Boeing 787-9 will be revealed soon. It is anticipated that the aircraft will begin long-haul, international commercial service in February 2026.
