Air India has recently unveiled the custom-styled cabin interiors of its first line-fit (made-for-Air India)
Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Bearing registration mark VT-AWA, the new aircraft features completely new cabin
interiors, designed especially for Air India and installed directly on Boeing’s production line.

Air India received delivery of the new aircraft on 11 January 2026, arriving in Delhi non-stop from
Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington. The aircraft is entering commercial service on flights between
Mumbai and Frankfurt from 1 February 2026.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said, “The arrival of this new
Boeing 787-9, the first production widebody from the 470 aircraft-strong order signed three years ago, is a significant moment in Air India’s 5-year Vihaan.AI transformation programme. Though nearly 100 new
and leased aircraft have already joined the Air India group’s fleet since privatisation, this is the first to be
designed by and for Air India. It underscores Air India’s commitment to delivering a world-class physical
product and inflight entertainment experience to complement the warm Indian hospitality already
delivered by our crew.”

“The new cabin interiors on this aircraft will soon become the standard across our entire Boeing 787 fleet
as, in addition to 19 more production aircraft, all 26 of Air India’s existing Boeing 787-8 aircraft are being
retrofitted with the same new cabin interiors and entertainment systems. The retrofit programme is well
underway, with the first upgraded aircraft due to return to service in the coming weeks and the remainder
of the fleet by mid-2027.”

All-new cabin interiors

Air India’s new Boeing 787-9 aircraft comes with 296 seats distributed between three cabin classes:
Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. The cabins feature customised versions of the Eleva
Ascent seat in Business Class and RECARO PL3530 and CL3710 seats in Premium Economy and
Economy Class, respectively. All seats are equipped with Thales’ state-of-the-art AVANT Up inflight
entertainment (IFE) system.

The Business Class cabin consists of 30 luxurious suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, offering direct aisle
access to every guest. Each suite, featuring a sliding privacy door 1 , reclines into a fully flat bed of 79
inches in length or a chaise lounge, and offers 42” of pitch, 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen and IFE
handset, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging and Type A and Type C fast charging ports,
height-adjustable armrest, as well as plenty of storage. The suite also features an attractive cubby area
that offers storage space with soft lighting inside, a vanity mirror and headphone hook, and a feature lamp designed with Air India’s jaali pattern that is inspired by India’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Premium Economy – a dedicated, upscale cabin offering greater privacy – features 28 seats in a 2-3-2
configuration, designed for enhanced long-haul comfort. Each seat offers generous legroom with 38-inch
pitch and 7-inch recline, 6-way adjustable headrest, individually adjustable calf rest as well as a leg rest,
13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, Type A and Type C fast charging ports, and a bottle holder.

Economy Class features 238 lightweight and ergonomically optimised seats in a 3-3-3 configuration,
each offering the standard 31”/32” pitch and 5” recline, an 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and
Type A and C charging ports. Of the 238 seats in Economy, Air India has made 220 seats available in its
booking inventory for flights operated with this new aircraft.

A new design standard

Air India has styled the interiors of the new B787-9 aircraft, including seats, galleys, lavatories, flight crew
rest area, side panels, laminates, etc. in collaboration with JPA Design, a global multidisciplinary design
studio, especially to reflect Air India’s revitalised global brand identity.

The cabins feature a harmonious palette of soft creams, pinks, reds, warm golds, and rich purples,
complemented by tactile materials inspired by natural textures and modern craftsmanship. This creates a
sensorial experience of quiet luxury, authenticity, and contemporary Indian identity, with refined detailing,
soft curves, warm lighting, improved stowage, and intuitive usability across all classes.

Mood lighting inspired by ancient Indian wellness traditions

On board the new B787-9 aircraft, Air India has introduced a unique mood lighting systems, developed in
collaboration with Tata Elxsi. It draws inspiration from India’s rich heritage in wellness and the ancient
concept of chakras – viewed in traditional philosophy as vital energy centres in the human body that
support physical, mental, and emotional balance. The new mood lighting offers 10 custom scenes
designed to align with passengers’ circadian rhythms and aid melatonin regulation, enhancing wellbeing
on long-haul flights.