Air India has commenced the cabin overhaul of its legacy Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, marking a significant step in its ambitious plan to regain passenger trust and revitalize its reputation as a world-class carrier. The first aircraft was sent to the United States for the extensive refurbishment at the end of July 2025.

This initiative is part of a larger $400 million program targeting the refurbishment of 40 wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 787-8s and 777s, as well as 27 Airbus A320neo narrow-body jets. The upgrades on the narrow-body segment are already in progress. The airline aims to complete the Dreamliner retrofits by mid-2027.

The first revamped Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is expected to return to service by December 2025. This timeline is a revision from the earlier target of October 2025, due to delays related to supply chain bottlenecks and seat supplier issues. CEO Campbell Wilson acknowledged that these delays have incurred additional costs.

The refurbishment program encompasses a complete overhaul of the passenger experience across all cabin classes. The upgrades include new lie-flat business class seats with direct aisle access, a refreshed premium economy section, and reconfigured economy seats with more legroom and improved recline. Larger, high-definition in-flight entertainment screens, high-speed onboard Wi-Fi, ambient lighting to ease jet lag, and modern Indian design themes are also planned to provide a sleeker and more comfortable travel experience. Touchless lavatories and improved cabin insulation will further enhance passenger comfort on long-haul flights. All refurbished aircraft will be equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi.

The business class cabin will feature a 1-1 layout, ensuring direct aisle access for every passenger, lie-flat seats, luxurious finishes, new carpeting, ambient lighting, and next-generation in-flight entertainment systems. The premium economy cabin will offer extra legroom, upgraded meal service, and a quieter atmosphere. Economy class seats will be upgraded for better comfort, with personal USB charging ports and high-definition touchscreen displays.

The revamped cabins will also feature new carpets, seat fabrics, lavatories, lighting, and updated branding. These enhancements aim to align the fleet with the standards of Air India's new Airbus A350s.

Following the return of the first retrofitted Dreamliner, Air India plans to refurbish two to three wide-body jets monthly. The Dreamliner retrofits will pave the way for Boeing 777 upgrades in 2026-2027, followed by enhancements to older narrow-body jets.

Air India is also working to improve the reliability of its aircraft, collaborating with Singapore Airlines on industry best practices. This collaboration includes exchanging notes on engineering, operations, and reliability improvements.

The refurbishment program and the collaboration with Singapore Airlines are part of Air India's broader turnaround plan to improve its services, enhance passenger experience, and compete globally. The airline is also introducing cheaper fares, refreshed cabins and lounges, and shorter layover times.