Air India Takes Delivery of First Upgraded Boeing 787-8 in Delhi as $400 Million Refurbishment Programme Advances
Air India's Revamped Boeing 787-8 Arrives in Delhi
Air India's first refurbished wide-body Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registered as VT-ANT, touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Monday evening, marking a significant milestone in the airline's plan to overhaul its older twin-aisle fleet. The aircraft, which completed a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino in the United States, arrived at 10 pm, bringing to an end a journey that spanned the Pacific Ocean.
The aircraft underwent extensive interior upgrades at Boeing's modification facility in Victorville, California, and was later repainted in Air India's new livery at AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft painting unit in California. The refurbishment effort is part of Air India's $400 million plan to upgrade its legacy wide-body fleet, which includes 27 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and 13 B777 aircraft.
| Aircraft Type | Number of Aircraft | Original Condition | Upgraded Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-8 | 27 | Older twin-aisle fleet | Retrofitted with next-generation seats and upgraded in-flight entertainment systems |
| B777 | 13 | Older twin-aisle fleet | Retrofitted with next-generation seats and upgraded in-flight entertainment systems |
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Air India's plan to upgrade its wide-body fleet was announced in December 2022, with the goal of replacing its legacy aircraft with modern, three-class cabin configurations. The programme includes the installation of luxurious Business Class seats, India's only Premium Economy cabin, and an enhanced Economy cabin. However, the project faced delays due to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical challenges, and work began only in July 2023 when the first of the 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft was sent to the Victorville facility for retrofitting.
The arrival of the refurbished VT-ANT marks the completion of a full cabin refurbishment for the first of Air India's 26 B787 planes. The airline's legacy wide-body fleet, which has been incurring losses, operates on long-haul routes to destinations across the UK, Europe, the United States, and the Far East. With the retrofit programme now underway, Air India is poised to provide a consistent experience across its fleet with modern amenities and upgraded in-flight services.
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