Air India has commenced cabin upgrading works on its widebody fleet, with its first of 26 Boeing 787s inducted in July following a series of delays.
The 787-8 (VT-ANT) flew to Boeing’s Victorville, California facility in July for retrofit works. Air India says a second aircraft will be inducted in October, and the two jets will return to commercial service by December.
The Star Alliance carrier says the 787 retrofit programme, which will see new products in business, premium economy and economy classes, is slated to be completed by mid-2027.
In 2027, Air India will also begin cabin retrofit works on its 13 777-300ERs, which is targeted to complete by October 2028.
The widebody retrofit project is part of a wider $400 million product investment by the Star Alliance carrier, which also sees 27 older Airbus A320neos get a cabin facelift. To date, Air India states that 16 A320neos have been retrofitted with new products, with work on the remaining 11 to be completed by September.
The timeline for cabin retrofit works has shifted to the right on several occasions, as Air India was impacted by ongoing supply chain constraints. The first 787 was originally meant to be inducted for retrofit works in early 2025, with the 777s in 2026.
Concurrent to the cabin upgrades, Air India says it will be upgrading the avionics and “other critical components” of its 787 fleet “up to the latest industry standards” to improve the type’s reliability.
“The programme entails the analysis of maintenance and configuration records for these aircraft, followed by the implementation of recommended modifications based on Boeing’s service information bulletins. This is intended to reduce operational disruptions for both, Air India and its customers,” the airline states.
Seven of the 26 787s will undergo heavy maintenance checks in Victorville, in line with cabin retrofit works.
The move follows scrutiny on the airline after the loss of a 787 in June. The aircraft was operating as flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when it crashed shortly after take-off.
The preliminary investigation report found that the 787’s fuel control cut-off switches were activated almost as soon as the aircraft lifted off. Investigators are now working to determine the reason for – and the circumstances surrounding – the cut-off switch activation.
