Air India has welcomed its first line-fit, custom-built Boeing 787-9 aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, marking a significant step in the airline’s ongoing transformation under the Tata Group.
In a statement, Air India confirmed that the aircraft, registered VT-AWA, completed a non-stop ferry flight of 16 hours and 58 minutes from Boeing’s Everett manufacturing facility in Washington State, USA. The aircraft was flown to New Delhi by a four-member Air India cockpit crew.
The Boeing 787-9 features 296 seats across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, with bespoke interiors installed directly on Boeing’s production line to Air India’s specifications. The airline said detailed cabin features and onboard enhancements will be announced in the coming weeks.
This delivery marks the first of six widebody aircraft scheduled to join Air India’s fleet this year, which includes additional Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s. In parallel, the airline is upgrading 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft with modern interiors and the new Air India livery. By the end of the year, nearly 60 per cent of Air India’s widebody fleet is expected to feature refreshed cabins.
According to the airline, the newly inducted Boeing 787-9 is slated to enter international long-haul commercial service in February 2026, with route details to be announced shortly.
