Air India’s B787-9 Interiors: A New Era of Quiet Luxury and Heritage-Inspired Serenity Aloft

Air India has unveiled the bespoke cabin interiors of its inaugural line-fit Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registration VT-AWA—a milestone in the airline’s Vihaan.AI transformation that heralds refined long-haul elegance. Delivered on 11 January 2026 directly from Boeing’s Everett facility, this aircraft enters service on Mumbai-Frankfurt routes from 1 February, with its custom design poised to grace the entire 787 fleet by mid-2027.

Key highlights at a glance

• Entirely new three‑class cabin interiors styled exclusively for Air India.
• 296 seats: 30 Business, 28 Premium Economy, 238 Economy.
• Bluetooth headphone pairing available at every seat.
• Wireless charging pads in Business Class suites.
• New mood lighting inspired by ancient Indian chakra‑based wellness traditions.​
• Same interior standard to roll out across the entire 787 fleet by mid‑2027.

A new Dreamliner designed for Air India

This is Air India’s first “line‑fit” Boeing 787‑9, meaning the custom interiors were installed directly on Boeing’s production line rather than retrofitted later. It is also the first widebody delivered from the airline’s record 470‑aircraft order signed three years ago, underlining a renewed focus on product and passenger experience.

An Exquisite Three-Cabin Symphony

Crafted in collaboration with JPA Design, the interiors weave a palette of soft creams, warm golds, blush pinks, and regal purples—evoking India’s timeless artistry through tactile finishes and subtle jaali motifs. Across 296 seats in Business, Premium Economy, and Economy, Thales AVANT Up delivers crystalline 4K QLED screens, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and USB-C power at every berth.

Business Class: Sanctuaries of Discreet Opulence

The 30 forward suites, arrayed in reverse herringbone 1-2-1, cocoon passengers in sliding-door privacy and direct-aisle intimacy. Each transforms into a 79-inch flat bed or chaise, graced with height-adjustable armrests, a luminous vanity alcove, and a feature lamp etched in Air India’s intricate jaali lattice—a nod to Mughal heritage. Wireless charging, dual-port power, and an expansive IFE handset ensure seamless connectivity amid ambient serenity.

Premium Economy: Elevated Poise for the Discerning

This intimate 2-3-2 enclave of 28 RECARO PL3530 seats offers 38-inch expanses, six-way headrest articulation, and bespoke calf-leg rests—ideal for the sophisticate seeking refinement without excess. Thirteen-inch HDR screens and intuitive stowage elevate the long-haul reverie, distinct from adjoining cabins.

Economy: Artful Comfort, Thoughtfully Scaled

Two hundred thirty-eight lightweight RECARO CL3710 seats in 3-3-3 array prioritise ergonomic grace, with 31-32-inch pitches, five-inch recline, and 11.6-inch vivid displays. Initially, 220 seats open for reservation, blending accessibility with polish.

Chakra-Inspired Luminary Rituals

In partnership with Tata Elxsi, Air India introduces 10 bespoke mood-lighting scenes drawn from ancient chakra wisdom—vital energy centres balancing body, mind, and spirit. These circadian-aligned illuminations, from restorative ambers to invigorating dawns, foster melatonin harmony and jet-lag reprieve, infusing flights with holistic wellness.

A Fleet Transformed, Horizons Redrawn

CEO Campbell Wilson deems VT-AWA the first aircraft “designed by and for Air India,” from its Elevate Ascent suites to crew rests and galleys. Nineteen sibling 787-9s will follow suit, while 26 legacy 787-8s undergo retrofit—the vanguard returning imminently. This elevates Air India’s global posture, merging heritage warmth with cutting-edge sanctuary, for travellers who demand the extraordinary as standard.

Fleet‑wide rollout: what this means for travellers

VT‑AWA is just the beginning. Nineteen additional line‑fit Boeing 787‑9s will join the fleet with the same interior specification, while all 26 existing Boeing 787‑8s are being retrofitted to match. The first refurbished aircraft is expected back in service soon, with the full 787 upgrade programme set to complete by mid‑2027.

For travellers, this means:

• Increasingly consistent cabins across Air India’s long‑haul network.
• Modern Business Class suites with doors on more routes.
• Widespread Bluetooth audio, 4K IFE, USB‑C power and improved seating in every cabin.

As the airline’s Vihaan.AI strategy progresses, the new Boeing 787‑9 interiors are a clear signal that Air India aims to compete head‑on with established global full‑service carriers in both comfort and design.