Air India Expands Upgraded Cabins and Frequencies on International Routes for Summer 2026
Air India has announced the deployment of aircraft featuring new, retrofitted, or upgraded cabin interiors on additional international routes as part of its Northern Summer Schedule 2026, alongside frequency increases on select long-haul services.
February–March 2026 Updates
From 14 February 2026, the Delhi–Tokyo (Haneda) service will operate with a Boeing 787-9 aircraft in a three-class configuration, introducing Premium Economy on the route and adding 2,408 seats per month.
Effective 1 March 2026, Delhi–Toronto frequency will increase from seven to ten flights per week.
From 29 March 2026, Delhi–Seoul (Incheon) will increase from five to six weekly flights, while Delhi–Shanghai will increase from four to five weekly flights, adding 2,048 seats per month on each route.
From 1 July 2026
Mumbai–London (Heathrow) flights will operate with a mix of newly delivered Boeing 787-9s and retrofitted Boeing 787-8s, all equipped with updated cabin interiors. These aircraft will replace the Boeing 777-300ER currently deployed on the route.
Delhi–Melbourne daily services will operate on the Boeing 777-300ER, featuring upgraded cabins and the introduction of First Class. The configuration includes eight First Class suites, 40 Business Class seats and 280 Economy Class seats, adding nearly 4,000 seats per month between Delhi and Melbourne.
From 1 August 2026
Bengaluru–London (Heathrow) flights will be operated with retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft, introducing Premium Economy. Following this change, all Air India services to and from London Heathrow will operate with new or upgraded cabin interiors.
On the Delhi–Toronto route, seven weekly flights will operate with new Boeing 787-9 aircraft in a three-class configuration, including Premium Economy, while the remaining three weekly flights will continue with the Boeing 777-300ER. More than half of Air India’s North America services will then operate with new or upgraded cabin interiors.
Flights to Birmingham from Amritsar and Delhi, and to London (Gatwick) from Ahmedabad and Amritsar, will be operated with the Boeing 777-300ER, replacing the Boeing 787-8 and introducing First Class on these routes.
Fleet Retrofit and Deliveries
Air India began retrofitting its legacy Boeing 787-8 fleet in 2025, with 26 aircraft scheduled for cabin upgrades and repainting in the airline’s new livery. The first two retrofitted aircraft are expected to return to service in the coming weeks, with additional aircraft to follow through 2026.
The airline also expects delivery of three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in 2026.
The expanded deployment of upgraded cabins, increased frequencies on international routes, and planned aircraft deliveries are part of Air India’s ongoing fleet and network development programme.
Leave a comment