Overview
- Air India plans to induct about 26 aircraft in 2026, including six widebodies, with its first line‑fit Boeing 787-9 arriving before Christmas and entering service in January.
- Two retrofitted Boeing 787-8s are due back by February, with two to three widebodies refreshed each month, targeting about two-thirds of the 787 fleet upgraded by year-end 2026 and full completion by mid-2027.
- Roughly 81–83% of narrow-body jets are already upgraded, 17 retained older narrow-bodies will be refitted in 2026, and Vistara aircraft are beginning Air India livery and interior conversions.
- Overall 2026 capacity is expected to be largely flat as leased 777s are returned and more aircraft enter retrofit, with a goal of operating about 81% of international flights using upgraded planes by year-end.
- Product upgrades include new food and beverage menus and a Maharaja Lounge opening at Delhi T3 in December, while Wilson flagged a temporary softening in US demand and said 95% of AI‑171 families have received interim compensation.