DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has officially started its long-awaited refurbishment program for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. This will be the airline’s key phase in modernizing its fleet under the Tata Group.
It is now confirmed that the process began with the first aircraft entering a hangar in late July 2025. As the clock strikes 05:31 PM IST on August 03, 2025, this initiative reflects months of planning, overcoming supply delays, and a focus on elevating the wide-body cabin experience.
Photo: By Kambui – Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANM, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58290529Air India 787 Refurbishment
The refurbishment program is a $400 million upgrade that targets 40 wide-body aircraft. This includes Boeing 787-8s and 777s, alongside 27 Airbus A320neo narrow-body jets.
The upgrades on the narrow-body segment are also ongoing, with some A320neos already refurbished. Air India’s attention is now on the Dreamliners.
The overhaul will include redesigned cabins featuring business class with lie-flat beds, a unique premium economy among Indian carriers, and refreshed economy seating.
Interior enhancements include new carpets, seat fabrics, lavatories, lighting, and updated branding. These features should help align the fleet with the standards of Air India’s new Airbus A350s.
Despite setbacks from seating supplier issues, the first 787 is slated to return to service in October 2025. Air India plans to refurbish two to three wide-body jets monthly, targeting completion by mid-2027.
This addresses past criticism of outdated interiors, promising a fleet that matches global competitors. However, this raises some doubts given the current pace and past challenges. There is only one aircraft, VT-ANT, currently in progress. Supply chain delays are already pushing back the first rollout to October 2025.
Maintaining this schedule across 40 wide-bodies seems ambitious, especially with ongoing safety inspections and fleet reallocations potentially stretching resources thin over the next two years.
Photo: Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalEnhanced Passenger Experience
Air India believes that travelers will enjoy a transformed onboard journey. The process involves a 1-2-1 business class layout with direct aisle access.
On the other hand, premium economy will come with extra space and upgraded catering, and economy with ergonomic seats, USB ports, and new in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens.
In Business class, Air India will offer lie-flat beds with premium finishes. Premium economy will provide a mid-tier option with added legroom and services. Finally, the economy class will feature refreshed aesthetics with USB charging and HD IFE.
All aircraft will include Wi-Fi, bringing Air India closer to international benchmarks. These upgrades, which have already started to roll out to the fleet, should offer a consistent experience across short- and long-haul flights.
Photo: By lasta29 – Air India, B787-8 Dreamliner, VT-ANR, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40687689Managing Operations Amid Upgrades
To maintain service, Air India has been adjusting its fleet deployment. Air India is using leased aircraft from Delta or retrofitted jets on key international routes like Delhi-New York and Mumbai-London.
This will surely lead to short-term variability in the flights the airline operates. There might be reductions in the frequencies across its network. The refurbishment should also align with heightened safety efforts following the June 2025 crash of Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8.
The tragedy led to the grounding of parts of the Dreamliner fleet for inspections mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). By July, 26 of 33 787s had passed these checks, reinforcing safety compliance. The retrofit rollout must enhance maintenance protocols and crew training and should aim to restore passenger confidence in both comfort and reliability.
Network expansion is imminent for Air India, which will be supported by a 2023 order. The airline has over 500 aircraft on order, including A350s, more 787s, Boeing 777Xs, and A320neo family jets. The deliveries will extend into the end of this decade.
Photo: Air India – en Boeing 787 Dreamliner i selskapets fargerBruno Geiger Airplane Pictures and Collection.
Lisens: CC BY NC 2.0
Path Ahead for Air India
The Dreamliner retrofits will pave the way for Boeing 777 upgrades in 2026-27. This will be followed by enhancements to older narrow-body jets, including those from Vistara. This multi-phase plan is central to Air India’s turnaround, modernizing its fleet and reasserting its global presence.
Detailed updates, such as specific refurbishment schedules and cabin configuration specifics, are not fully known yet. It’s incredibly exciting to witness Air India’s transformation finally taking flight.
For years, passengers have longed for a premium experience that matches global standards—and now, with the Dreamliner retrofits underway, that vision is becoming reality. The airline will hopefully shed its outdated image and step into a new era of offering a better overall experience.
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