Air India has kicked off 2026 with a milestone delivery from the United States, signaling the next phase of its ambitious transformation.
The airline’s first line-fit Boeing 787-9, built specifically for Air India, touched down at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after a nearly 17-hour nonstop ferry flight from Boeing’s Everett facility in Washington state.
Flown by a four-member Air India cockpit crew, the journey underscored not just the arrival of a new aircraft, but a broader commitment to elevating the carrier’s global flying experience.
The aircraft, registered VT-AWA, features 296 seats spread across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes. Its cabin interiors have been installed directly on Boeing’s production line, a move that reflects closer collaboration between the U.S. aircraft maker and India’s flag carrier.
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While Air India has not yet revealed the full details of the interiors, the airline said more information will be shared in the coming weeks.
From a U.S. aviation and manufacturing standpoint, the delivery highlights Boeing’s continued role in Air India’s fleet renewal at a time when the airline is repositioning itself as a serious global competitor. The 787-9 is the first of several widebody aircraft Air India expects to induct this year. In total, six widebody deliveries are planned for 2026, including both Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s.
Air India says the new 787-9 cabins will set the standard for its entire Dreamliner fleet. As part of that effort, 26 of the airline’s older Boeing 787-8 aircraft are undergoing phased retrofits, with many scheduled to return to service in 2026 featuring fully refreshed interiors and the new Air India branding.
By the end of the year, nearly 60 percent of the airline’s widebody fleet is expected to sport modern, updated cabins. The newly delivered Boeing 787-9 is slated to enter international long-haul commercial service in February 2026, with route details to be announced soon.