Air India has started the retrofit of its widebody aircraft with its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Air India has started the retrofit of its widebody aircraft with its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Part of Air India's USD $400 million fleet retrofit program, the airline's first widebody aircraft to undergo the retrofit - a Boeing 787-8 with the registration VT-ANT - was flown to a Boeing facility in Victorville, California, US in July. VT-ANT is the first of 26 787-8s which the airline will install brand-new interiors in a three-class configuration with Business, Premium Economy, and Economy seats. The aircraft will also get brand-new seats, advanced inflight entertainment (IFE) systems, new carpets, curtains, upholstery, lavatories, and galleys.
A second 787-8 is scheduled to depart for the same facility in October. Both aircraft are expected to return to service in December 2025.
In addition, the 787-8s will also see upgrades on the avionics and other critical components. An analysis of maintenance and configuration records, and the implementation of recommended modifications based on Boeing's service information bulletins is also part of the program. Seven of the 26 787-8s will also undergo heavy, scheduled maintenance (D-checks) while at Victorville.
Air India plans to complete the retrofit of the 787s by mid-2027. Following the 787s, the retrofit of 13 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will start in 2027 and is expected to be completed by October 2028.
According to Air India, the timeline has been shifted due to supply chain delays.
Air India first started its fleet retrofit program in September 2024 with 27 narrowbody Airbus A320neo aircraft. The airline reports 16 A320neos have been retrofitted with the 15th aircraft already returned to service in August, followed by a 16th aircraft the same month. The work on the remaining 11 A320neo is scheduled to be completed by September.
To help facilitate the completion of the retrofit of the A320neos, Air India has added a third line at GMR's MRO in Hyderabad.
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