Air India Express marked a milestone on January 17, 2026, with the first international commercial flight of its newly inducted Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. The aircraft, registered as VT-RNT, departed from New Delhi and landed in Muscat, strengthening air connectivity between India and the Middle East. This event signifies a key step in the airline's fleet modernization and international expansion strategy under the Tata Group.
The deployment of the Boeing 737-8 MAX on international routes reflects Air India Express's commitment to enhancing efficiency and passenger experience. The aircraft is part of the airline's ongoing induction of next-generation narrow-body jets aimed at supporting network growth across short- and medium-haul international destinations. Air India Express is expected to induct 20-24 aircraft in 2026.
Crew members on the inaugural flight highlighted several advanced features designed to improve overall passenger comfort. These include ergonomically designed seating, enhanced cabin interiors, and larger overhead bins for convenient storage of cabin baggage. A notable feature is the inclusion of fast-charging power outlets at every seat, allowing passengers to keep their devices charged throughout the journey. The aircraft also boasts quieter engines and improved air quality systems, contributing to a smoother and more comfortable flight.
The Boeing 737-8 MAX offers enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to older-generation aircraft. This aligns with Air India Express's focus on sustainable operations while maintaining competitive costs.
Air India Express operates a fleet of over 100 aircraft and serves 62 destinations, 44 domestic and 18 international. Its primary hubs are located in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. The airline focuses on routes dominated by low-cost carriers, with a significant proportion of leisure travelers, mainly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
In December 2025, Air India Express received its 51st Boeing 737-8 aircraft, the first MAX aircraft fitted specifically for the airline with an all-economy seating configuration. To honor Ratan Tata, the aircraft was assigned the registration VT-RNT. This particular aircraft is considered a "Line Fit" one, with customized cabin interiors and exterior livery design completed at the Boeing manufacturing facility. Previously, such customizations were done at MRO facilities within India.
Air India Express is moving towards an all-economy configuration by April 2026 and has commenced a program to retrofit new seats on its existing Boeing 737-8 aircraft to standardize a 189-seat configuration. As part of this initiative, 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft will be upgraded.
The airline also revealed its new brand campaign, 'Xplore More, Xpress More', which reflects the transformative power of travel and the connections it enables. Air India Express has codeshare and interline agreements with Air India and Scoot.
