Air India has taken delivery of its first legacy Boeing 777 aircraft following an extensive refurbishment. This comprehensive overhaul involved replacing carpets, seat covers, and cushions while also repairing broken seats. The initiative is part of the airline’s broader strategy to modernize its fleet and enhance the passenger experience.
Comprehensive Upgrades Implemented
The refurbishment of the Boeing 777 includes several key enhancements:
- Cabin Interiors: Installation of new seat covers, cushions, curtains, and carpets aligned with Air India’s updated branding.
- Galleys and Lavatories: Complete overhauls to improve functionality and aesthetics.
These upgrades are designed to provide passengers with a more comfortable and contemporary in-flight environment. The newly refreshed aircraft will first operate on domestic routes for a short period before being deployed on ultra-long-haul international routes. Air India’s legacy Boeing 777 fleet primarily services routes to Toronto, Vancouver (Canada), and major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Chicago, Newark, and New York.
Fleet Modernization Strategy
Air India currently operates 40 legacy wide-body aircraft, consisting of 13 Boeing 777s and 27 Boeing 787s. The heavy refurbishment of the Boeing 777-300ER was conducted in Singapore and completed within 50 days. The airline aims to complete the overhaul of all its legacy Boeing 777 aircraft by the end of this year.
This initiative is part of Air India’s $400 million fleet modernization program, targeting 67 legacy aircraft across both narrow-body and wide-body categories. The program began with the refurbishment of an Airbus A320neo and is expected to continue across the fleet.
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, emphasized the importance of these upgrades, stating that the interior refit is a crucial step in enhancing the passenger experience and transforming Air India into a world-class airline.
New Look for Air India’s Wide-Body Aircraft
The first of Air India’s 13 legacy Boeing 777 aircraft, registered as VT-ALK, returned from Singapore on Wednesday with a revamped passenger cabin. The aircraft underwent a “color, material, and finish (CMF)” rework over 52 days, featuring refreshed upholstery, carpeting, and curtains. The cabin panels and lavatories have also received a fresh coat of paint, aligning with the airline’s updated color scheme.
This upgrade represents an interim enhancement, with a more extensive makeover, including seat replacements and in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen upgrades, now delayed until 2026. Initially scheduled to begin in 2023, the full retrofit has been postponed.
Meanwhile, Air India has commenced a retrofit program for its Boeing 787 fleet, which includes seat and IFE replacements. The first of these 27 aircraft is set to re-enter service in October, with two to three Boeing 787s being refurbished each month until the entire fleet is upgraded.
The airline has also launched a similar initiative for its narrow-body aircraft. The first of the 27 A320neos completed its refurbishment last month, with work on four additional planes already concluded. Air India aims to complete the modernization of all 27 A320neos by the third quarter of 2025.
Through these extensive refurbishments, Air India reinforces its commitment to elevating service standards and delivering a superior travel experience for passengers worldwide.
