Air India Introduces New Cabin Interiors on Line-Fit Boeing 787-9 Aircraft
Air India has unveiled the custom-styled cabin interiors of its first line-fit (made-for-Air India) Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Registered as VT-AWA, the aircraft features interiors designed specifically for Air India and installed directly on Boeing’s production line.
Air India took delivery of the aircraft on 11 January 2026, with a non-stop ferry flight from Boeing’s Everett facility to Delhi. The aircraft is scheduled to enter commercial service on the Mumbai–Frankfurt route from 1 February 2026.
Commenting on the milestone, Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India, said the aircraft marks the first production widebody from the airline’s 470-aircraft order announced three years ago and forms part of its Vihaan.AI transformation programme. He noted that while Air India has inducted close to 100 new and leased aircraft since privatisation, this is the first aircraft fully designed for the airline, reflecting its focus on upgrading onboard products and in-flight entertainment alongside service delivery.
Air India confirmed that the new cabin interiors introduced on this Boeing 787-9 will become the standard across its entire Boeing 787 fleet. In addition to 19 more production aircraft, all 26 existing Boeing 787-8 aircraft will be retrofitted with the same interiors and entertainment systems. The retrofit programme is underway, with the first upgraded aircraft expected to return to service shortly and completion targeted by mid-2027.
The Boeing 787-9 is configured with 296 seats across three cabin classes: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. The aircraft features customised Elevate Ascent seats in Business Class and RECARO PL3530 and CL3710 seats in Premium Economy and Economy, respectively. All seats are equipped with Thales AVANT Up in-flight entertainment systems.
The Business Class cabin includes 30 suites arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, providing direct aisle access for all passengers. Each suite offers a fully flat bed, sliding privacy door, personal storage spaces, wireless charging, USB-A and USB-C ports, Bluetooth audio connectivity, and a 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen.
Premium Economy consists of 28 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, offering increased legroom, recline, adjustable headrests, calf and leg rests, charging ports, and a 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR screen.
Economy Class features 238 seats in a 3-3-3 layout, each with a standard pitch and recline, 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and USB-A and USB-C charging. Of these, 220 seats are available for booking on flights operated with this aircraft.
The cabin interiors—including seating, galleys, lavatories, crew rest areas, side panels, and finishes—were developed in collaboration with JPA Design to align with Air India’s updated brand identity. The design incorporates a palette of soft neutrals and warm tones, tactile materials, refined detailing, and lighting intended to support passenger comfort and usability across all classes.
Air India has also introduced a new mood lighting system on the aircraft, developed with Tata Elxsi. The system draws inspiration from traditional Indian wellness concepts and includes 10 lighting scenes designed to support circadian rhythm alignment and passenger comfort on long-haul flights.
With the induction of this aircraft, Air India continues the phased introduction of new cabin products across its widebody fleet as part of its broader fleet renewal and transformation programme.
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