Air India’s first retrofitted B787-8 aircraft arrives in Delhi

Air India's first refurbished Boeing 787-8 arrived in Delhi on Monday, marking the successful completion of a nose-to-tail cabin refresh of the first of 26 B787 aircraft fleet. The retrofitted, twin-aisle aircraft are set to serve several long-haul destinations across the UK, Europe, USA and Far East.

The retrofitted aircraft operated a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino in the US to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, flying over the Pacific and landing at 2243 hrs on Monday after the requisite regulatory certifications and clearances.

Bearing the registration VT-ANT, the aircraft received comprehensive interior upgrades at Boeing’s Modification Center in Victorville, California, and was subsequently painted in Air India’s new livery at AeroPro. The unit is an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft paint facility in San Bernardino, California.

"She’s finally home!" Air India said, announcing the arrival of B787-8 aircraft. "After months of meticulous work, VT-ANT, Air India’s very first retrofitted Boeing 787-8, has landed in Delhi in its stunning new livery."

The airline said, "This is just the beginning of a transformed experience for our guests on long-haul destinations. "

Also read: 'Air India going through challenging time': N Chandrasekaran urges staff to focus on execution


This aircraft refurbishment programme included a complete overhaul of the existing cabin interiors, with the addition of the latest-generation seats and in-flight entertainment across all classes. The retrofitted aircraft also includes the introduction of a premium economy cabin on both fleets.

Air India, which was acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, announced in December that plans to refurbish its entire legacy wide-body fleet, comprising 27 Boeing B787-8 (Dreamliner) and 13 B777 aircraft, at an investment of over $400 million. The airline lost one of its Boeing 787-8s in a crash in Ahmedabad in June last year, reducing the fleet to 26 planes.