Air India Unveils First Retrofitted Boeing 787-8

Air India unveiled its first retrofitted Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on April 19, 2026, in New Delhi, marking the initial phase of a $400 million fleet modernization program aimed at enhancing passenger comfort on long-haul routes. The aircraft, registered VT-ANT and an 11-year-old model, arrived back in India on April 13 after undergoing a comprehensive cabin overhaul at Boeing's Modification Center in Victorville, California, followed by repainting in the airline's new livery at an FAA-certified facility in San Bernardino.

The retrofit transformed the plane from a two-class to a three-class configuration, aligning it with standards introduced on Air India's newer Boeing 787-9 aircraft earlier in 2026. The process, which took 45 days and required more than 12,800 man-hours, involved stripping the interior and installing new seating, carpets, wall laminates, galleys, lavatories, and overhead bins. Materials included 475 meters of fabric, 167 meters of synthetic leather, 169 meters of carpet, and 646 liters of paint. The exterior repainting was handled by a 20-member team over 18 days, totaling over 5,700 man-hours.

The upgraded cabin now features 20 Business Class suites in a 1-2-1...