Air India announced it will deploy aircraft featuring new, retrofitted or upgraded cabin interiors on additional key international routes as part of its Northern Summer Schedule 2026, thus adding capacity and boosting connectivity on select long-haul routes. The changes to Air India’s schedule and product deployment on select international routes include:
Between February and March 2026:
- Effective 14 February, Air India’s Delhi-Tokyo (Haneda) operates with B787-9 aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration, thus introducing Premium Economy on the route. This deployment adds 2408 seats between Delhi and Tokyo (Haneda) every month.
- Starting 01 March, Delhi-Toronto frequency increases from 7x weekly to 10x weekly.
- Starting 29 March, Delhi-Seoul (Incheon) frequency increases from 5x weekly to 6x weekly, and the newly launched Delhi-Shanghai flights increase from 4x weekly to 5x weekly, thus adding 2048 seats on each of the routes every month.
From 01 July 2026:
- Mumbai-London (Heathrow) flights will operate with a combination of Air India’s incoming new B787-9 and retrofitted legacy B787-8 aircraft, both featuring all-new cabin interiors. These flights will replace the currently deployed B777-300ER on the route, which already feature upgraded cabin interiors.
- Delhi-Melbourne daily flights will operate with Air India’s B777-300ER featuring upgraded cabin interiors, thus introducing First Class on the route. The aircraft features 8 suites in First Class, 40 fully flat beds in Business Class and 280 seats in Economy Class, adding nearly 4,000 seats every month between Delhi and Melbourne.
From 01 August 2026:
- Bengaluru-London (Heathrow) flights will operate with the airline’s retrofitted B787-8 aircraft, featuring new cabin interiors, thus introducing Premium Economy on the route. With this, all Air India flights to and from London (Heathrow) will be serviced by aircraft featuring new cabin interiors.
- 7x weekly flights on the Delhi-Toronto route will operate with Air India’s incoming, new B787-9 aircraft, featuring all-new cabin interiors in a three-class configuration and introducing Premium Economy on the route. The remainder 3x weekly flights will continue to operate with Air India’s legacy B777-300ER. With this, more than 50% of Air India’s North America flights will be operated with new or upgraded cabin interiors.
- Air India’s flights to Birmingham from Amritsar and Delhi, and to London (Gatwick) from Ahmedabad and Amritsar will be operated with Air India’s legacy B777-300ER, replacing the currently deployed legacy B787-8 and introducing First Class on these routes.
Air India began retrofitting its legacy B787-8 last year in an exercise that will see 26 legacy B787-8 aircraft refitted with brand-new cabin interiors custom-styled for Air India as well as the repainting of these aircraft in the airline’s vibrant, new livery. The first two of these retrofitted aircraft are expected to return to service in the coming weeks, with several more to be retrofitted progressively throughout 2026. Additionally, Air India expects deliveries of three new, line-fit (or made-for-Air India) B787-9 and two line-fit A350-1000 aircraft in 2026.
Air India welcomes guests to new flagship Maharaja Lounge at Delhi Airport
Air India has officially opened its first flagship Maharaja Lounge at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3. Spread across 16,000 sq. ft. at the international pier of Terminal 3, The Maharaja Lounge can accommodate nearly 300 guests and features an expansive ‘Business Class’ and an exclusive ‘First Class’ section called ‘Air India First’, each offering distinct zones tailored to different travel moods and needs. The lounge will be progressively opened to guests travelling in First and Business Class as well as Maharaja Club Platinum and Gold members, and eligible Star Alliance Gold members starting 16 February 2026.
Its signature spaces include:
- The Aviator’s Bar pays tribute to the airline’s origins, drawing inspiration from the historic 1932 flight piloted by J. R. D. Tata from Karachi to Bombay. The ceiling design echoes the propeller of the Puss Moth aircraft, while the bar offers a curated selection of premium wines and whiskies.
- The Globetrotter’s Study offers a quiet, well-appointed workspace with a curated book collection, ample charging points and high-speed connectivity.
- The Serenity Area provides enclosed recliners for guests seeking rest and relaxation before departure.
- The Crystal Bar, the centrepiece of the ‘First Class’ section, serves sparkling wines, champagnes and signature cocktails in an elegant setting inspired by subtle Indian motifs.
- Sleep Suites in the ‘First Class’ lounge offer guests the opportunity for restorative pre-flight rest.
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