Air India Rolls Out Major Jet Upgrade Plan to Win Back Flyers, Targets 2027 Completion

Under Tata Group, the airline aims to modernize Dreamliners, shorten layovers, and improve passenger experience to rival global carriers like Emirates.

April 7, 2025: Air India to Modernize Jet Fleet in Bid to Reclaim Global Reputation and Passenger Loyalty

New Delhi | April 7, 2025 — In a strategic push to reclaim its place as a global aviation player, Air India has launched an ambitious multi-year program to upgrade its aging aircraft, aiming to improve the overall passenger experience and restore brand credibility under Tata Group’s ownership.

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The first phase will focus on retrofitting the airline’s 27 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, many of which are over a decade old. These upgrades are expected to be completed by early 2027, followed by a more complex overhaul of the airline’s older Boeing 777 widebody jets, according to CEO Campbell Wilson.

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“Consistency makes an airline good,” Wilson emphasized in a recent interview. “We’re working on uniformity across aircraft quality, crew service, punctuality, and airport experience.”

Passenger-Centric Upgrades in Motion

With the Indian travel market booming, Air India is realigning itself to become the preferred choice for domestic and international travelers. Upgrades include:

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• New lounges at major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru
• Shorter layovers — reduced to just 180 minutes on Australia-Europe routes (down from 10 hours)
• Refreshed interiors: seats, lavatories, carpets, curtains, and entertainment systems
• Improved transit experience and increased international connectivity

Wilson acknowledged past shortfalls, including mixed interiors and poor customer feedback regarding inflight services. Social media has often showcased messy seats and underwhelming meals — issues the CEO aims to resolve with these deep refurbishments.

Tata Group’s Vision and a Competitive Landscape

After its acquisition in late 2021, Tata Group, led by the late Ratan Tata, outlined a long-term vision to rebuild Air India into a world-class airline. The journey, as acknowledged at the time, would be challenging — but necessary to restore Air India’s former prestige.

Air India’s plan is not just about comfort — it’s about challenging international heavyweights. The group’s dual-brand strategy with Air India (full-service) and Air India Express (low-cost) aims to compete directly with Emirates, and reduce the dominance of IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, which is itself expanding into international long-haul routes with Airbus A350s and A321XLRs.

Infrastructure Reforms and Supply-Chain Hurdles

Wilson also highlighted efforts to work with Indian authorities to streamline immigration at domestic airports, allowing international-bound passengers to complete formalities earlier, thereby reducing congestion and delays at international hubs.

However, Wilson cautioned that supply chain issues, particularly in aircraft seating and inflight product upgrades, could delay some improvements.

“These things can’t be turned around overnight,” he said. “But we are committed.”

With enhanced fleet planning, faster transit, and a rejuvenated in-flight experience, Air India is preparing for a strong comeback on the global aviation stage — a transformation decades in the making.

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