Air India unveiled its first retrofitted, twin-aisle B787-8 (registered VT-ANT), marking the completion of a nose-to-tail cabin refresh of the first of 26 B787 aircraft. As part of the retrofit, the aircraft interiors were completely reconfigured, transforming it from a two-class layout previously to a modern three-class configuration now with the installation of brand-new seats and an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, bringing the aircraft in line with Air India’s latest widebody product standards, as seen on its new bespoke Boeing 787-9 inducted in January.
Additional enhancements across cabins encompass new carpets and curtains, new wall laminates, galley overhauls, a refresh of all lavatories, replacement or refurbishment of overhead bin panels, installation of a new cabin service system, and an updated crew application panel interface. The cabins feature 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 in-flight entertainment (IFE) system.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This is yet another proud milestone in our transformation journey as we welcome this transformed legacy B787 aircraft as a shining beacon of the new Air India. The retrofit of our first widebody aircraft is a visible symbol of the momentum behind Air India’s transformation. With 25 other 787s undergoing this comprehensive refresh, we are rapidly modernising the backbone of our long‑haul fleet and raising the bar for customers flying between India and the world.”