Air India reveals newly retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliner cabins
April 20, 2026
Air India has unveiled the first of its newly retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Completion of the twin-aisle B787-8 (registered VT-ANT) marks a major step forward in the airline’s transformation strategy to modernise its long-haul fleet and improve brand consistency.
Air India’s refreshed Boeing 787 marks the start of something bigger
The aircraft is the first of 26 Boeing 787-8s set to undergo a comprehensive retrofit, completed at Boeing’s Modification Centre in Victoriville, California.
It introduces a fully redesigned cabin, new seating across all classes, and a next-generation in-flight entertainment system aligned with the airline’s latest widebody cabins.
The AI Boeing 787: Refreshed cabins, upgraded experience
As part of the overhaul, the aircraft has been completely reconfigured from its previous two-class layout into a modern three-class configuration—bringing it in line with Air India’s newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft inducted in 2026.
Retrofitting the first aircraft required approximately 12,825 manhours over 45 days, as teams stripped out legacy interiors and rebuilt the cabin.
The materials required for the refurbishment included:
- 475 metres of fabric used for seating across cabins
- 167 metres of synthetic leather
- 169 metres of carpet
Work included installing new seats, carpets and wall laminates, overhauling galleys and lavatories, and conducting extensive testing of all cabin systems before return to service.
The aircraft’s exterior was also repainted, with a 20-person specialist team spending more than 5,700 hours over 18 days applying 646 litres of paint to create Air India’s updated livery.
A brand new standard in all Air India cabins
The redesigned Dreamliner introduces a consistent product across three classes, with improved passenger comfort and technology upgrades.
In Business Class, the aircraft features 20 Elevate Ascent private suites in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Each suite includes:
- sliding privacy doors
- direct aisle access
- a fully flat 79” bed
- a 17” 4K QLED HDR touchscreen
- multiple charging points
- a vanity mirror
- a softly lit storage cubby
- design elements inspired by traditional Indian jaali patterns.
Premium Economy includes 25 RECARO PL3530 seats in a 2-3-2 layout, with:
- 38” pitch
- 7” recline
- calf and leg rests
- 13.3” 4K in-flight entertainment screens
- USB-A and USB-C fast charging.
Economy Class comprises 205 RECARO CL3710 seats in a 3-3-3 layout, with:
- 31”–32” pitch
- ergonomic design improvements
- 11.6” 4K in-flight entertainment touchscreens
- charging ports at every seat
Across all cabins, the aircraft features new soft furnishings, upgraded lavatories, refurbished overhead bins, and a new Cabin Service System, along with an updated crew interface.
All cabins are equipped with Thales’ AVANT Up in-flight entertainment system.
Air India’s new global product
The retrofit programme is designed to bring older 787-8 aircraft in line with Air India’s newest widebody standard, ensuring a consistent passenger experience across the airline’s long-haul network.
“This is yet another proud milestone in our transformation journey,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, referring to the aircraft as a “shining beacon” of the brand.
“The retrofit of our first widebody aircraft is a visible symbol of the momentum behind Air India’s transformation. With 25 other 787s undergoing this comprehensive refresh, we are rapidly modernising the backbone of our long-haul fleet and raising the bar for customers flying between India and the world.”
The Dreamliner retrofit is part of a $400 million multi-year programme to upgrade Air India’s legacy fleet, improve reliability, and enhance the passenger experience. The airline will also retrofit 13 of its legacy Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
As more retrofitted aircraft enter service through 2026 and beyond, Air India is introducing a competitive long-haul product on key international routes.
Featured Image: Air India
