Air India has taken delivery of its first factory-built (line-fit) Boeing 787-9, which landed at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after a nonstop 16-hour 58-minute ferry flight from Boeing’s Everett facility in the United States. Registered VT-AWA, the aircraft represents a major milestone in the airline’s ongoing transformation programme.
The new 787-9 is configured with 296 seats across three classes—Business, Premium Economy and Economy—and features bespoke cabin interiors installed directly on Boeing’s production line. Full cabin details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The delivery kicks off a significant fleet renewal year for Air India. In 2026, the airline expects to receive six widebody aircraft, including Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s. At the same time, 26 legacy Boeing 787-8 aircraft are undergoing comprehensive nose-to-tail retrofits, with many returning to service this year in refreshed interiors and the new Air India livery. By the end of 2026, nearly 60% of the widebody fleet will feature modernised cabins.
The newly delivered Boeing 787-9 is scheduled to enter long-haul international commercial service in February 2026, with route details to be announced shortly.