Air India Completes First Phase of its Modernization Program: 104 A320 Family Aircraft Now Feature Refreshed Cabins
Air India has announced the completion of the first phase of its ambitious fleet modernization program, part of a $400 million investment. With this, the airline has finished refurbishing its inherited fleet of 27 A320neo aircraft, all now featuring brand-new interiors and showcasing the new, vibrant corporate livery.
Combined with 14 newly delivered A320neos and aircraft integrated following the merger with Vistara, the company now operates 104 A320 Family aircraft with refurbished or updated cabins.
The project, which began in September 2024, was completed in a record time of one year, marking a significant milestone in Air India’s comprehensive fleet renewal strategy.
Over 3,000 Weekly Flights with Modernized Cabins
With this updated fleet, Air India operates 3,024 weekly flights on 82 domestic and international short-haul routes.
Key Domestic Routes
The modernization covers the country’s busiest routes, including: Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Hyderabad, Delhi-Bengaluru, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Chennai, Mumbai-Bengaluru, Mumbai-Hyderabad, Mumbai-Chennai, Mumbai-Kolkata, among many others.
International Short-Haul Routes
The new interiors are also available on flights to and from: Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Bali (Denpasar), Manila, Mauritius, Malé (Maldives), Riyadh, Jeddah, and on most flights to Singapore.
Redesigned Cabins for Enhanced Comfort and In-Flight Experience
Each of the 27 refurbished A320neos now features a three-class configuration: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy, offering a consistent, international-standard experience.
The process involved the installation of:
- 3,564 new Economy Class seats
- 648 Premium Economy Class seats
- 216 Business Class seats
- Over 450 meters of premium leather and 15,000 meters of fabric
- 5,000 square meters of carpet
- 8,000 kg of paint to apply Air India’s new livery
→ Air India Negotiates Purchase of Up to 300 New Aircraft
Every seat incorporates USB-A and USB-C ports, allowing passengers to keep their devices charged and access Vista Stream, the streaming in-flight entertainment service with over 900 hours of international film content.
Rising Satisfaction and Commitment to Excellence
Air India has maintained a monthly Net Promoter Score (NPS) of around 45-50 points for its narrowbody operations, reflecting improved customer satisfaction.
CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, stated: “We are making steady progress in updating our fleet. With over 100 A320 Family aircraft now equipped with modern interiors, our passengers will enjoy a superior experience across our network. With the first phase of narrowbody refurbishment complete, we reaffirm our commitment to offering cabin products of global standards.”
Next Steps in Fleet Modernization
The airline is preparing to begin, in 2026, the upgrade of 13 inherited A321 aircraft, which will undergo the same renewal process and incorporation of the new visual scheme, along with the fleet from Vistara.
Furthermore, Air India has begun modernizing its widebody fleet. The first Boeing 787-8 (VT-ANT) was moved in July 2025 to Boeing’s facilities in Victorville, California, to begin its transformation. This program, scheduled for completion by mid-2027, will incorporate new cabins with three classes: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
Concurrently, the company plans to refurbish 13 Boeing 777-300ERs starting in 2027, with an estimated completion in October 2028, following a slight delay due to supply chain issues.
With this first phase now complete, Air India reinforces its transformation into a modern, efficient, and passenger-centric airline.
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