As part of its ‘Northern Summer Schedule 2026’, Air India will deploy incoming new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners between Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) and London-Heathrow Airport (LHR).
On February 16, 2026, Air India confirmed that from July 1, 2026, the current deployed Boeing 777-300ER would be replaced with new 787-9s and retrofitted legacy 787-8 aircraft, both featuring all-new cabin interiors.
The announcement was part of a long list of product and customer experience upgrades unveiled by Air India, which also included introducing first class seating on the route between Delhi and Melbourne from July 2026.
The aircraft will feature eight first class suites, 40 fully flat beds in business and 280 seats in economy, adding nearly 4,000 seats every month.
Air India said the changes would boost connectivity on select long-haul routes by adding additional capacity to services.
As part of its update, Air India also announced that it expects deliveries of three new, line-fit 787-9s and two A350-1000 aircraft in 2026.
The other service changes announced are as follows:
Between February and March 2026
- Effective form February 14, 2026, Air India’s Delhi to Tokyo Haneda (HND) route will operate with 787-9 aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration, thus introducing premium economy on the route. This deployment adds 2408 seats every month.
- Starting March 1, 2026, flights between Delhi and Toronto will increase from seven times weekly to 10 times weekly.
- Starting March 29, 2026, the Delhi and Seoul Incheon (ICN) service increases from five times weekly to six times weekly, and the newly launched Delhi-Shanghai flights increase from four times weekly to five time weekly, thus adding 2048 seats on each of the routes every month.
Our bespoke Boeing 787-9 has arrived – designed by and for Air India, bringing together comfort, design, and technology to reimagine long-haul travel.
Stretch out in our Business Class suites with fully flat beds and direct aisle access, enjoy added privacy in Premium Economy… pic.twitter.com/shMWGV4cIA
— Air India (@airindia) January 27, 2026
From August 1, 2026:
- Bengaluru-Heathrow flights will operate with the airline’s retrofitted 787-8 aircraft, featuring new cabin interiors, thus introducing premium economy on the route.
- Seven weekly flights on the Delhi-Toronto route will operate with Air India’s incoming 787-9 aircraft. The remainder three weekly flights will continue to operate with Air India’s 777-300ERs.
- Air India’s flights to Birmingham from Amritsar and Delhi, and to London-Gatwick (LGW) from Ahmedabad and Amritsar will be operated with Air India’s 777-300ER, replacing the currently deployed legacy 787-8 and introducing first class on these routes.
Air India began retrofitting its legacy 787-8s in 2025, with 26 in total scheduled to be refitted with brand-new cabin interiors as well as new liveries.
The first two retrofitted aircraft are expected to return to service in the coming weeks, with several more to be retrofitted progressively throughout 2026.
