Air India cabin retrofit delayed to late 2028

Air India plans a 400 million dollar wide‑body interior refresh, but progress has been slow and timelines have shifted.

Air India cabin retrofit delayed amid supply chain woes

Air India, now part of the Tata Group, announced in 2022 a plan to overhaul the interiors of its Boeing 777‑300ERs and Boeing 787s, with new cabins, refreshed premium seats, a new inflight entertainment system, upgraded Wi‑Fi, and a premium economy product. London design firms JPA Design and Trendworks are helping shape the new layouts as the airline operates a mixed fleet that includes legacy jets plus ex‑partner aircraft to maintain capacity.

Progress has been painfully slow. The first 787‑8 has entered the reconfiguration shop, with a goal of two 787‑8s in service by the end of 2025 and all 26 legacy 787‑8s upgraded by July 2027. The 777‑300ERs would follow, targeting all 13 aircraft reconfigured by October 2028 at best. In the meantime, some 777‑300ERs are receiving a mild soft refresh with updated finishes. Supply chain challenges and fleet complexity are driving delays as Air India pushes a long‑term upgrade while juggling ongoing operations.

The plan is as much about signaling ambition as it is about cabin reality. Keeping first class on the 777s while adding premium economy across the fleet shows a willingness to blend heritage with a modern product, a bold but risky stance. The slow pace risks disappointing travelers and investors who expected a quicker turnaround.

These delays highlight broader pressures in aviation modernization: carriers with mixed fleets face higher retrofit costs, longer phasing, and tighter budgets. If the interiors are delivered on schedule, Air India could lift its long‑haul appeal and better compete for international traffic; if not, the upgrade could become a costly misstep that tempers the airline’s turnaround story.

Highlights

The cabin upgrade is a test of Air India’s resolve against a stubborn pace of modernization.