Tata group’s airline Air India has successfully finished the initial phase of its retrofit program for its legacy aircraft fleet. This includes the upgrade of all older Airbus A320neo aircraft, which now feature new or enhanced cabin interiors as part of a $400-million initiative aimed at modernizing the aging fleet inherited from the airline’s previous government ownership. A total of 27 A320neo aircraft have received these upgrades, including the introduction of Air India’s new livery. Additionally, the upgrade of legacy wide-body aircraft is currently in progress, with retrofitting for older A321 aircraft, the larger variant of the A320, scheduled to commence in 2026.
Air India has completed the retrofit of 27 legacy A320neo aircraft within a year, as part of a $400 million modernization initiative for its entire fleet. This effort, which started in September 2024, now allows the airline to operate a total of 104 A320 Family aircraft, including 14 newly delivered A320neo and aircraft integrated from the merger with Vistara. The retrofitted planes feature new or upgraded cabin interiors.
Upon the merger of Vistara into Air India, Air India incorporated Vistara’s fleet of 63 narrow-body aircraft, which featured modern interiors. To ensure a uniform experience for passengers, the airline initiated a cabin upgrade program in September 2024.
Cabin refit and upgradation are integral to Air India’s product transformation plan following its acquisition by the Tata group in early 2022. Historically, Air India has struggled with a dilapidated fleet and deteriorating aircraft cabins due to severe financial stress while being government-owned. The new management has introduced new aircraft and placed significant orders for future deliveries. Nonetheless, the condition of the older aircraft remains a pressing issue as Air India aims to meet global standards and provide a world-class experience for its passengers.
Air India currently operates 104 A320 Family aircraft with modernized or upgraded interiors, facilitating a total of 3,024 weekly flights across 82 domestic and short-haul international routes. The retrofit program for the 27 A320neo included the installation of new cabin interiors, arranged in a three-class configuration—business, premium economy, and economy—establishing a new standard for the airline as it transitions from a traditional two-class setup. This initiative aims to ensure a consistent and superior inflight experience across its fleet.
With the completion of the current phase of Air India’s retrofit program, all flights on major domestic routes, including Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Hyderabad, and others, will be serviced by newly upgraded aircraft. Additionally, short-haul international flights to destinations such as Bangkok and Singapore will feature the upgraded product. Starting in 2026, Air India plans to retrofit 13 legacy A321 aircraft alongside the former Vistara fleet over the next year. The airline has also initiated a comprehensive retrofit program for its legacy B787-8 aircraft, with the first of 26 aircraft currently undergoing upgrades in Victorville, California. This program aims for completion by mid-2027, introducing newly designed interiors with a three-class configuration: Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class seats.
Air India plans to retrofit 13 of its legacy Boeing 777 aircraft starting in early 2027, targeting completion by October 2028. Initially, the airline aimed to finish the retrofit and upgradation by mid-2027; however, due to ongoing supply chain disruptions affecting the global aviation industry, the timeline has been extended by over a year.
