February 2026 | 665 words / 9 slides | -minute read
Signature design. Exceptional comfort. Warm Indian hospitality. This perfect blend was on display when Air India unveiled the custom-styled cabin interiors of its first line-fit (made-for-Air India) Boeing 787-9 aircraft — designed especially for Air India and installed directly on Boeing's production line — at the Wings India 2026 civil aviation event being held in Hyderabad from 28-31 January. With this, Air India signalled a defining chapter in its transformation journey to become a world-class global airline with an Indian heart.
Air India received delivery of the new aircraft on January 11, 2026, which arrived in Delhi non-stop from Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington. Remarking on this milestone, Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The arrival of this new Boeing 787-9, the first production widebody from the 470 aircraft-strong order signed three years ago, is a significant moment in Air India’s 5-year Vihaan.AI transformation programme … It underscores Air India's commitment to delivering a world-class physical product and inflight entertainment experience to complement the warm Indian hospitality already delivered by our crew...” He added, “The new cabin interiors on this aircraft will soon become the standard across our entire Boeing 787 fleet as, in addition to 19 more production aircraft, all 26 of Air India’s existing Boeing 787-8 aircraft are being retrofitted with the same new cabin interiors and entertainment systems...”
Crafted with care
Air India’s new Boeing 787-9 aircraft — which bears the registration VT-AWA — features 296 seats distributed between three cabin classes: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. The cabins showcase customised versions of the Elevate Ascent seat in Business Class and RECARO PL3530 and CL3710 seats in Premium Economy and Economy Class, respectively. All seats are equipped with Thales’ state-of-the-art AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system and headphone pairing capability via Bluetooth.
The interiors of Air India’s new Boeing 787‑9 — from seats and galleys to lavatories, crew rest areas, side panels, and finishes — have been meticulously styled in collaboration with global design studio JPA Design, reflecting the airline’s revitalised global brand identity. Every element is designed to deliver a sensorial experience characterised by quiet luxury, authenticity, and Indian artistry. A harmonious palette of soft creams, pinks, reds, warm golds, and rich purples illuminates the cabins, enriched by premium fabrics with a high wool blend and refined jacquard weaves that are breathable, tactile, and durable.
Ten custom lighting scenes gently align with circadian rhythms to support melatonin balance, reduce fatigue, and promote calm, restorative sleep throughout the journey. This innovative wellness mood‑lighting system introduced by Air India has been developed in collaboration with Tata Elxsi.
The new Boeing 787-9 has entered commercial service on flights between Mumbai and Frankfurt since February 1, 2026.
- Sharmistha Choudhury
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Experience the New
