First Look: Air India’s Retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Air India has received its first retrofitted Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, marking a significant step in the airline's widebody fleet modernization.
- The delivery is the first milestone in a $400 million refurbishment program aimed at upgrading 26 widebody aircraft.
- The Boeing 787-8 underwent a comprehensive nose-to-tail interior overhaul to address previous criticisms regarding aging cabins and malfunctioning inflight entertainment systems.
Air India has received its first retrofitted Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, marking a significant step in the airline’s widebody fleet modernization. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANT, arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Monday, April 14, 2026, following a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino, California.
The delivery is the first milestone in a $400 million refurbishment program aimed at upgrading 26 widebody aircraft. This initiative is part of the Vihaan.AI transformation journey, a strategic overhaul started by former CEO Campbell Wilson to modernize the airline’s guest experience and operational standards.
Interior Overhaul and Configuration
The Boeing 787-8 underwent a comprehensive nose-to-tail interior overhaul to address previous criticisms regarding aging cabins and malfunctioning inflight entertainment systems. The aircraft has been reimagined into a modern three-class configuration, which includes Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes.
According to the airline, the new interiors are designed to align with the line-fit, factory-fresh specifications of the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft that are being inducted into the fleet simultaneously.
Refurbishment and Technical Process
The transformation of VT-ANT involved two primary stages in the United States. The aircraft was first sent to the Boeing Modification Center in Victorville, California, in July 2025 for the extensive interior upgrades.
Following the interior work, the aircraft was moved to AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft paint facility in San Bernardino, California, where it received the airline’s new livery.
The aircraft landed in Delhi at 22:43 hrs on Monday, April 14, 2026, after receiving the necessary regulatory certifications and clearances for its journey across the Pacific.
Fleet Strategy and Long-Haul Operations
The retrofitted twin-aisle aircraft are designated to serve several long-haul destinations. The airline has specified that these planes will operate flights to the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and the Far East.
Air India
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. This is just the beginning of a transformed experience for our guests on long-haul destinations.
This specific aircraft is the first of 26 B787 fleet members scheduled for a cabin refresh. The program is intended to standardize the luxury and comfort levels across the long-haul fleet, ensuring consistency between the refurbished legacy aircraft and the new deliveries.