Air India Expands International Network With Upgraded Aircraft

20 Feb 2026 CW Team

Starting one March 2026, flights between Delhi and Toronto will rise from seven weekly to 10 weekly to improve connectivity to Canada. From 29 March 2026, the Delhi–Seoul Incheon service will increase from five weekly to six weekly, and the Delhi–Shanghai service will expand from four weekly to five weekly, with each increase adding about 2,048 seats per month.

From July, Mumbai–London Heathrow will be operated by a mix of new Boeing 787-9 and retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft with new cabin interiors, replacing the Boeing 777-300ER. Several other long-haul sectors will receive similar new or upgraded cabin products.

Daily Delhi–Melbourne services will use upgraded Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and will introduce First Class with eight First Class suites, 40 fully flat beds in Business Class and 280 seats in Economy Class, adding nearly 4,000 seats per month. From August, Bengaluru–London Heathrow flights will be operated with retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft featuring Premium Economy so all services to London Heathrow will have upgraded cabin products.

The airline is retrofitting 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft with new cabins and a repaint in Air India’s new livery, and expects the first two retrofitted aircraft to return to service in the coming weeks with further upgrades through 2026. Air India also expects delivery of three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in line fit configuration as part of the Tata Group transformation plan to modernise the carrier and enhance the long-haul travel experience.

Air India is expanding its international network under the Northern Summer Schedule 2026 and will deploy aircraft with new, retrofitted or upgraded cabin interiors on long-haul routes to boost capacity and passenger comfort across Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. From 14 February 2026, the Delhi–Tokyo Haneda service will be operated by the Boeing 787-9 in a three-class configuration, introducing Premium Economy and adding 2,408 seats per month. Starting one March 2026, flights between Delhi and Toronto will rise from seven weekly to 10 weekly to improve connectivity to Canada. From 29 March 2026, the Delhi–Seoul Incheon service will increase from five weekly to six weekly, and the Delhi–Shanghai service will expand from four weekly to five weekly, with each increase adding about 2,048 seats per month. From July, Mumbai–London Heathrow will be operated by a mix of new Boeing 787-9 and retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft with new cabin interiors, replacing the Boeing 777-300ER. Several other long-haul sectors will receive similar new or upgraded cabin products. Daily Delhi–Melbourne services will use upgraded Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and will introduce First Class with eight First Class suites, 40 fully flat beds in Business Class and 280 seats in Economy Class, adding nearly 4,000 seats per month. From August, Bengaluru–London Heathrow flights will be operated with retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft featuring Premium Economy so all services to London Heathrow will have upgraded cabin products. The airline is retrofitting 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft with new cabins and a repaint in Air India’s new livery, and expects the first two retrofitted aircraft to return to service in the coming weeks with further upgrades through 2026. Air India also expects delivery of three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in line fit configuration as part of the Tata Group transformation plan to modernise the carrier and enhance the long-haul travel experience.

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