Overview
- Air India, which unveiled the first retrofitted 787-8 on Sunday, kicked off a $400 million programme to upgrade 26 Dreamliners.
- The aircraft, registered VT-ANT, now has a three-class layout with 20 business suites with doors, 25 premium economy seats, and 205 economy seats with new 4K screens and power at every seat.
- The work was completed at Boeing’s Victorville modification center with repainting at AeroPro in San Bernardino after a 45‑day, 12,825‑man‑hour nose‑to‑tail rebuild of interiors and systems.
- Two more 787s are already in modification, with most reports citing a 2027 finish for the 787 fleet while Air India’s customer chief signaled completion by the first quarter of 2028.
- After the 787 cycle, Air India plans to retrofit 13 777‑300ERs, with the refreshed widebodies expected to fly more than 300 weekly long‑haul services to the UK, Europe, and Australia.