What happened in the retrofit announcement?
Air India completed its retrofit programme for 27 legacy A320neos, now in service with new cabins and livery. Including 14 new A320neos and those from the Vistara merger, the airline operates 104 A320 Family aircraft with updated interiors.
What was the programme scope and timeline?
The retrofit started in September 2024 as part of a USD 400 million modernisation, completing work on all 27 legacy A320neos within a year. It included interior renewals, three-class cabins, and a repaint in Air India’s new livery.
How has the fleet impacted the network?
With 104 upgraded A320 aircraft, Air India operates 3,024 weekly flights on 82 routes, including high-frequency domestic sectors like Delhi–Mumbai, Delhi–Bengaluru, and Mumbai–Hyderabad, and short-haul international services to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Maldives, and Mauritius.
What changes were made inside the cabins?
The retrofit transformed the cabin with 3,564 Economy, 648 Premium Economy, and 216 Business Class seats. It used over 450m of leather, 15,000m of fabric, and 5,000+ m² of carpet. All seats have USB-A and USB-C ports to access Air India’s ‘Vista Stream’ inflight entertainment with nearly 900 hours of content.
What are the next phases of the modernisation?
Starting in 2026, Air India will retrofit 13 of its legacy A321 aircraft, coordinating with the refits of Vistara’s jets. Widebody upgrades include refurbishing the first of 26 B787-8s by mid-2027 and retrofitting 13 777-300ers through October 2028.
Also Read: Big Change For Air India Group Flights At New Delhi
What did leadership say about the programme?
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson emphasised ongoing progress on the upgrade and reaffirmed the airline’s dedication to providing cabin products that meet global standards as the retrofit program advances.
