By Keerthi Ramesh
Air India has unveiled the custom-styled cabin interiors of its first line-fit Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, signaling a major step forward in the airline’s ongoing transformation under Tata Group ownership and its push to elevate the long-haul passenger experience.
The aircraft, registered VT-AWA, was delivered on Jan. 11 following a nonstop flight from Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington, to New Delhi. It will enter commercial service Feb. 1 on flights between Mumbai and Frankfurt. The jet is the first widebody aircraft produced specifically for Air India since the carrier placed a 470-aircraft order as part of its five-year Vihaan.AI transformation program.
Configured with 296 seats across three classes, the aircraft features 30 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats and 238 Economy Class seats. All cabins are equipped with Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment system, offering 4K QLED HDR touchscreens, Bluetooth headphone pairing and USB-A and USB-C fast-charging ports.
Read: New Boeing 787-9 marks next phase of Air India’s global transformation (January 12, 2026)
Business Class is arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, providing direct aisle access for every passenger. The suites convert into fully flat beds measuring 79 inches and include sliding privacy doors, wireless charging pads, adjustable armrests, personal storage spaces and design elements inspired by India’s traditional Jaali or netted architectural patterns. Due to pending regulatory approval, the privacy doors are currently unavailable for passenger use, though all other features remain operational.
Premium Economy is positioned as a dedicated, upscale cabin with a 2-3-2 configuration, offering increased privacy, 38 inches of seat pitch, enhanced recline, adjustable headrests and calf rests, and larger personal screens. Economy Class features lightweight, ergonomically optimized seats in a 3-3-3 layout, with most seats offering a 31- or 32-inch pitch and individual seatback screens.
The cabin interiors were designed in collaboration with JPA Design and reflect Air India’s refreshed global brand identity. The color palette blends soft creams, reds, warm golds and rich purples, paired with tactile materials and modern craftsmanship intended to create a sense of quiet luxury and contemporary Indian character across all classes.
A standout feature of the new aircraft is its onboard mood lighting system, developed with Tata Elxsi. Inspired by India’s ancient wellness traditions and the concept of chakras, the system offers 10 customized lighting scenes designed to align with passengers’ circadian rhythms and support melatonin regulation during long-haul flights.
Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said the aircraft represents a pivotal moment for the airline, noting that while nearly 100 new and leased aircraft have joined the fleet since privatization, this is the first designed entirely for Air India.
The new interiors will become standard across the airline’s entire Boeing 787 fleet. In addition to 19 more new 787s on order, all 26 of Air India’s existing 787-8 aircraft are being retrofitted with the same cabin design and entertainment systems. The first retrofitted aircraft are expected to return to service in the coming weeks, with the full program scheduled for completion