Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Air India $400m transformation is set to upgrade 67 aircraft with ultra-modern cabins, advanced seating, and unmatched inflight luxury by mid-2025. Air India has unveiled an extensive US$400 million refurbishment initiative aimed at modernizing 67 of its legacy aircraft. This phased revamp is designed to align its fleet with the new Air India experience, introducing a three-cabin configuration featuring new seats, carpets, curtains, and upholstery.
The project begins with 27 narrowbody Airbus A320neo jets, followed by 40 widebody Boeing planes. The first aircraft to undergo this transformation is the narrowbody A320neo, registration VT-EXN, which entered the hangar on Monday. After completing prototyping and obtaining regulatory approvals, VT-EXN is slated to return to commercial service by December 2024, joining the fleet of eight recently delivered A320neo aircraft already equipped with updated cabin interiors.
Following VT-EXN, Air India plans to retrofit three to four aircraft each month, with the entire narrowbody fleet expected to be upgraded by mid-2025. The refurbished A320neo will feature eight luxurious Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom, and 132 Economy seats designed for maximum comfort. The upgraded cabins will also include modern amenities like subtle cabin lighting, wider seat pitch, and convenient PED holders with USB type A and C charging ports for mobile devices, laptops, and more.
The updated interiors will reflect the new brand identity, with refreshed carpets, curtains, upholstery, and cabin panels featuring contemporary designs. In Business Class, passengers can expect 40-inch ergonomic seats with a 7-inch recline, adjustable armrests, footrests, and backrests. The seats will also feature tray tables with integrated PED holders and multiple charging options.
Premium Economy will offer enhanced comfort with four-way adjustable headrests, 32-inch seat pitch, 4-inch recline, and similar PED holders with USB ports. Economy Class will be ergonomically designed, providing 28-29 inches of seat pitch, 4-inch recline, and additional legroom, along with PED holders and USB charging options. This ambitious refit project will be executed by Air India’s Engineering team in collaboration with top-tier global suppliers like Collins, Astronics, and Thales.
More than 15,000 next-generation seats will be installed across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. Simultaneously, preparations are underway for the interior overhaul of 40 widebody Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. Air India has finalized the selection of market-leading seats and inflight entertainment systems, and design work is complete.
The airline is now working with seat manufacturers to secure regulatory certifications and expedite production. The retrofit for the first widebody aircraft is expected to begin in early 2025, subject to supply chain conditions..
