The Custom Dreamliner: Air India Reclaims Its Skies with First Post-Privatisation 787-9

The long-standing promise of a world-class, custom-built Air India product finally crossed the finish line this week. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the Tata Group officially took title of its first “line-fit” Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Boeing’s Everett facility. Unlike the “white-tail” aircraft the airline has relied on recently to quickly patch capacity gaps, this wide-body jet was built from the ground up to Air India’s specific cabin, galley, and technological requirements.

For the airline, the arrival of this aircraft—the first Dreamliner to join the primary fleet in over eight years—is about more than just seat count. It is the visual proof of a standardized passenger experience. Configured in a modern three-class layout, the jet features the airline’s new premium economy, business, and economy cabins, a configuration that will eventually become the signature of the long-haul fleet.

A Milestone for the Boeing Partnership

The 787-9 is a heavy-hitter in the airline’s broader strategy, representing the first wide-body delivery and the 52nd overall aircraft from the landmark 220-jet order placed with Boeing in 2023. The delivery follows a busy December for the group, which saw its low-cost arm, Air India Express, induct its 51st Boeing 737-8 (VT-RNT) featuring a tribute livery to the late Ratan Tata.

Currently, the combined Air India Group operates over 300 aircraft, with the full-service carrier holding 185 of those frames. While the six Airbus A350s inducted last year signaled the start of the “Vihaan.AI” transformation, this Boeing delivery marks the expansion of that premium experience into the carrier’s primary workhorse fleet.

2026: The Pivotal Transition

CEO Campbell Wilson recently described 2026 as the year customers will notice the most “visible change.” During a briefing in Gurugram—his first major public appearance since the shadow cast by the AI 171 tragedy in June 2025—Wilson outlined a year defined by qualitative rather than quantitative growth. While the net fleet size will stay roughly stable due to the return of older leased 777s, the percentage of flights operated by new or fully refurbished aircraft is set to soar.

By December 2026, Air India aims to operate 81% of its international network using these modern or fully upgraded jets. Parallel to new deliveries, the $400 million retrofit program for legacy aircraft is accelerating. The first two legacy 787-8s, currently undergoing a total interior overhaul, are slated to return to service this February, with two to three more units following each month through 2027.

Summary

Air India has taken delivery of its first custom “line-fit” Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner since privatisation. This marks a strategic shift from using leased or repurposed aircraft to a standardized, custom-built product. With the 2023 Boeing order now seeing wide-body deliveries and a massive retrofit program bringing legacy jets up to modern standards, the airline expects to operate 81% of its international flights with upgraded cabins by the end of 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is a “line-fit” aircraft? 

A line-fit aircraft is built at the factory according to the specific interior, seating, and technology specs ordered by the airline, unlike “white-tail” models which are built for one customer but sold to another.

Q2: How many Boeing planes has Air India received from its 2023 order? 

As of January 8, 2026, the group has received 52 aircraft from the order: 51 Boeing 737-8s for the Express wing and one Boeing 787-9 for the full-service carrier.

Q3: When will the older Air India Dreamliners be upgraded? 

The first two retrofitted 787-8s will return to service in February 2026. The airline plans to complete two to three retrofits per month, with two-thirds of the fleet finished by the end of 2026.

Q4: What is the significance of the VT-RNT registration? 

VT-RNT is an Air India Express Boeing 737-8 inducted in December 2025 that features a special livery honoring Ratan Tata.