Air India’s first line-fit widebody aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touched down at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on January 12.
The aircraft completed a non-stop ferry flight of 16 hours and 58 minutes from Boeing’s Everett factory in Washington State, operated by a four-member cockpit crew from the airline, according to the Tata Group-owned airline’s official statement.
Air India is happy to announce the arrival of its first line-fit Boeing 787-9, VT-AWA. This touch down at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, marks a defining moment in our transformation journey. Just as this aircraft begins its story, so do we – introducing the Air… pic.twitter.com/6UcwdJmPZR
— Air India Newsroom (@AirIndia_News) January 12, 2026
When will Air India deploy the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on international routes?
Air India is set to deploy its newly delivered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on international long-haul routes starting February. The airline said the specific route schedule will be announced soon.
Features of Air India’s 787-9 Dreamliner
The new 787-9 comes with 296 seats spread across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. The airline said the aircraft features bespoke interiors installed directly on Boeing’s production line, with a detailed unveiling of cabin features expected in the coming weeks.
According to the statement, VT-AWA is the first of six widebody aircraft that Air India plans to induct this year. The upcoming deliveries include more Boeing 787-9s and the Airbus A350-1000. Alongside new inductions, the airline is also upgrading its existing fleet – 26 Boeing 787-8s are undergoing retrofitting to receive modern interiors and the refreshed Air India livery. Several of these refurbished aircraft are expected to return to service in 2026, the airline announced.
Major fleet upgrade planned by end of 2026
By the end of 2026, nearly 60% of Air India’s widebody fleet will feature upgraded cabins. The airline added that the newly delivered Boeing 787-9 is expected to enter international long-haul commercial service in February 2026, with the specific route schedule set to be announced soon.
Air India currently operates 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft, along with six Boeing 787-9s that came from Vistara after the merger. Altogether, the Air India Group now has a fleet of more than 300 aircraft – 185 with Air India and the rest with Air India Express, according to a report by PTI.
Air India Express has so far received 51 new Boeing 737-8 narrow-body aircraft, including its first line-fit plane that joined the fleet in late December. Since the Tata Group took charge in January 2022, Air India has placed orders for 350 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft. Of these, six Airbus A350s have already been inducted into the Air India fleet, the report added.