Air India has revealed the custom-designed cabin interiors of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registration VT-AWA, setting a new benchmark for its long-haul fleet. The aircraft, which was delivered to Air India on January 11, 2026, after flying non-stop from Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington, will officially enter commercial service on February 1, 2026, operating flights between Mumbai and Frankfurt. The unveiling occurred on January 27, 2026, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the Tata Group's reacquisition of Air India. The aircraft was showcased at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad.
Cabin Features and Amenities
The new Boeing 787-9 features a three-class configuration with a total of 296 seats. These include Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Air India has also introduced a new mood lighting system in collaboration with Tata Elxsi. The airline will soon retrofit its existing Boeing 787-8 fleet with the same cabin interiors and entertainment systems, with the first upgraded aircraft expected to return to service in the coming weeks and the entire fleet by mid-2027.
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Business Class: The Business Class cabin features 30 "Elevate Ascent" suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each suite boasts a fully flat bed measuring 79 inches in length or a chaise lounge position, a 42-inch pitch, and a sliding privacy door. Other amenities include a 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, Type A and Type C fast-charging ports, a height-adjustable armrest, and ample storage space, vanity mirrors, and feature lamps inspired by India's jaali architectural patterns. Business class passengers also receive luxury amenity kits with loungewear and carpet slippers, and an elevated dining experience with regional gourmet meals and refined beverages.
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Premium Economy: This dedicated cabin offers 28 "Recaro PL3530" seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. Each seat provides generous legroom with a 38-inch pitch and 7-inch recline, a 6-way adjustable headrest, individually adjustable calf and leg rests, a 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, Type A and Type C fast-charging ports, and a bottle holder. Premium economy passengers also get a premium amenity kit, gourmet meals and beverages, dedicated check-in counter, priority boarding and extra baggage allowance.
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Economy Class: The Economy Class cabin features 238 lightweight and ergonomically optimized "Recaro CL3710" seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. Each seat offers a standard 31/32-inch pitch and 5-inch recline, an 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and Type A and C charging ports. All economy seats are available in its booking inventory except 18 seats due to FAA approvals. Passengers can enjoy full-course hot meals.
In-flight Entertainment and Technology
Across all cabins, passengers can enjoy the Thales' Avant Up in-flight entertainment system, delivering 4K HDR picture quality and in-screen USB-A and USB-C high-speed charging. Headphone pairing via Bluetooth is available in all seats. The aircraft also features advanced HEPA filtration to capture viruses, bacteria, and fungi, along with smoother ride technology and noise-reducing nacelles for a calmer flight. The cabin environment further benefits from lower cabin altitude, improved humidity, and precise temperature control.
Statements
Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, said that the arrival of the new Boeing 787-9 is a significant moment in Air India's 5-year Vihaan.AI transformation program. He emphasized that this is the first aircraft designed by and for Air India since privatization, underscoring the airline's commitment to delivering a world-class in-flight experience.
Additional Information
Air India is awaiting FAA approvals for 18 economy class seats, and will physically block these seats until certification is complete. Air India expects to receive its first Airbus A350-1000 in Q3 of 2026.
