AI finally begins retrofit of legacy wide body planes; to complete task by October 2028
NEW DELHI: Air India has finally started the upgrade programme for its legacy wide fleet with the Boeing 787 Dreamliners and the task is now expected to be complete by Oct 2028, “with the timeline having shifted due to supply chain delays”. In its last few cash-starved state-owned years, Air India had no funds to spend on cabin maintenance or upkeep and a poor in-flight experience on those planes remains among the biggest irritants for passengers of long haul flights on which these planes are deployed. After taking over AI in January 2022, the Tata Group had announced a $ 400 million fleet retrofit programme “to delivering a world class flying experience and enhancing operational reliability across its legacy fleet.” However, due to supply chain issues the work has taken longer than originally expected.“Air India has commenced the widebody retrofit programme for its legacy B787-8 aircraft, with the first of 26 aircraft (VT-ANT) having flown to a Boeing facility in Victorville, California, in July 2025. A second aircraft is scheduled to depart for the same facility in October 2025, with both expected to return to service in December 2025. The retrofit programme for Air India’s B787-8s, now on a steady schedule for completion by mid-2027, will introduce brand-new interiors featuring a three-class configuration with business class, premium economy, and economy Class seats. This includes the installation of brand-new seats in each cabin, advanced in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, new carpeting, curtains, upholstery, lavatories, galleys and more – all aligned with the new Air India product and customer experience standards,” AI said in a statement.Starting early 2027, AI will additionally retrofit 13 of its legacy Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, aiming for completion by October 2028, with the timeline having shifted due to supply chain delays.As part of a reliability enhancement programme, AI says it will upgrade the avionics and other critical components of the 26 legacy B787-8 aircraft. “The programme entails the analysis of maintenance and configuration records for these aircraft, followed by the implementation of recommended modifications based on Boeing’s service information bulletins. This is intended to reduce operational disruptions for both, Air India and its customers,” AI said. Additionally, seven of the 26 B787-8s will undergo heavy, scheduled maintenance (D-checks) at Victorville.Narrowbody retrofit programme for 27 legacy A320neo aircraft: AI says this commenced last September. It “is progressing per schedule, with completion targeted in Sept 2025. The addition of a third line at GMR’s MRO in Hyderabad has expedited the process. To date, 15 A320neo aircraft have been retrofitted, with the 15th aircraft having returned to service on August 9, 2025, and the 16th aircraft scheduled to return to service on August 11, 2025. The remaining 11 A320neo will be retrofitted by September 2025,” AI statement said. The upgraded A320neo aircraft that have all-new cabins are being progressively deployed on key domestic and short-haul international routes.
