Post by : Rameen Ariff

New Delhi, November 1, 2025 – Air India has announced the successful completion of its retrofit programme for 27 of its legacy Airbus A320neo aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the carrier’s ambitious fleet-modernisation drive.

The retrofit, which commenced in September 2024, is part of a broader USD 400 million initiative to upgrade the airline’s legacy fleet and bring it in line with global standards. With the 27 aircraft refurbished, Air India now boasts 104 A320–family aircraft featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors.

Cabin Enhancements and Passenger Experience

Each of the retrofitted A320neo aircraft has been equipped with a three-class cabin configuration – Economy, Premium Economy and Business – a first for the narrow-body fleet. The upgrade includes:

• 3,564 new Economy class seats

• 648 Premium Economy seats

• 216 Business class seats

• USB-A and USB-C ports at all seats to support streaming and device charging

• New livery and customised interior finishes using premium materials such as leather and fabric

According to the airline’s statement, the retrofit allows Air India to operate more than 3,000 weekly flights across 82 domestic and short-haul international routes with consistently upgraded cabins.

Strategic Significance and Next Steps

This milestone is the first phase of Air India’s transformation following its acquisition by the Tata Group in early 2022. The airline aims to reposition itself as a global carrier with top-tier service and reliability.

CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said, “With over 100 of our A320 Family aircraft now featuring modern interiors, our guests will enjoy a superior travel experience across our extensive network.”

Looking ahead, the airline plans to:

• Begin retrofitting 13 legacy Airbus A321 aircraft in 2026

• Upgrade its legacy wide-body fleet including Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 777-300ER models, with projects scheduled through to 2028

Impact on Market and Operations

The completed retrofit of the 27 A320neo jets enhances Air India’s competitiveness in India’s busy domestic and regional market, positioning it for higher-frequency operations and improved customer satisfaction. Industry analysts view the move as a key step in modernising the carrier’s image, improving fleet reliability, and reducing maintenance costs associated with older aircraft.

With the transformation in place, passengers will increasingly see Air India’s upgraded narrow-body jets on major routes including Delhi–Mumbai, Mumbai–Bengaluru, and short-haul international sectors such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.

The completion of the A320neo retrofit marks a turning point for Air India’s narrow-body fleet strategy. By modernising 27 aircraft in record time and setting a clear roadmap for further upgrades, the airline is signalling its intent to deliver an elevated travel product while ramping up operational capacity and market presence.

As retrofits extend into wide-body aircraft and international growth accelerates, the aviation industry will be watching closely to see how Air India translates its investment into improved performance, profitability and passenger experience.

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