Air India undergoes a $400 million overhaul, refurbishing the interior of its B787-8 aircraft fleet.
Air India Kicks Off Comprehensive Fleet Modernisation Programme
Air India has announced a fleet retrofit programme worth approximately US$400 million, aiming to modernise its widebody and narrowbody aircraft. The programme will enhance passenger comfort, inflight entertainment, and operational reliability across the airline's legacy fleet.
For the widebody aircraft, the programme focuses on the 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The first aircraft (VT-ANT) arrived at Boeing’s Victorville, California facility in July, with a second 787-8 expected in October. Both aircraft are set to return by December 2025.
The retrofits will include completely new interiors featuring a three-class configuration: Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. The upgrades cover new seats, advanced inflight entertainment systems, carpeting, curtains, upholstery, lavatories, galleys, and alignment with Air India’s refreshed branding and customer experience standards.
Seven of these 787-8s will also undergo heavy maintenance (D-checks) during this process. A Reliability Enhancement Programme is concurrently upgrading avionics and key systems per Boeing’s service bulletins to reduce operational disruptions.
Following the 787-8 retrofit, starting early 2027, Air India will retrofit 13 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The completion of this process has been pushed back to October 2028 due to supply chain delays.
For the narrowbody aircraft, the retrofit began in September 2024 for 27 legacy Airbus A320neos. The first upgraded aircraft (VT-EXN) rejoining service in December 2024 after prototype and certification. Upgrades to the narrowbody fleet include modernised seats and interiors, with the retrofit progressing at 3-4 aircraft per month.
The remaining 11 A320neo aircraft are scheduled to be retrofitted by September 2025, gradually deployed on key domestic and international routes thereafter. The A320neo retrofit programme, initially expected to be completed by mid to late 2025, is largely complete, with the 15th aircraft having returned to service on 9 August 2025, and the 16th aircraft scheduled to return to service on 11 August 2025.
The addition of a third maintenance line at GMR's Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad has accelerated the process of the A320neo retrofit programme.
In summary, Air India is systematically modernising its legacy fleet with a staggered schedule. The narrowbody A320neos retrofit is largely complete by late 2025. The widebody B787-8 retrofits are ongoing from mid-2025 through mid-2027. The widebody B777-300ER retrofits are planned from early 2027 to late 2028.
This programme significantly enhances passenger comfort, inflight entertainment, and operational reliability across Air India’s legacy fleet.
[1] Air India initiates $400 million fleet retrofit programme [2] Air India to retrofit 13 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft [3] Air India to retrofit 27 A320neo aircraft [4] Air India retrofit programme delayed due to supply chain issues [5] Air India's B787-8 aircraft enters California for retrofit
- The fleet modernization programme by Air India involves not only a comprehensive retrofit of their widebody and narrowbody aircraft, but also an investment in the aviation industry, with a focus on finance for the upgrade.
- The airline's industry-wide endeavor includes the retrofit of 13 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, along with modifications to the transportation infrastructure through the addition of a third maintenance line at GMR's Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad.
