New Boeing 787-9 Delivery Lands In Delhi For Air India

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI- Air India’s first factory-configured Boeing 787-9 has arrived here, marking a key step in the carrier’s ongoing widebody fleet update, the airline said.

The aircraft, registered VT-AWA, landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport after a non-stop ferry flight of 16 hours and 58 minutes from Boeing’s Everett facility in WA. Four Air India pilots operated the delivery flight on January 12.

Configured with 296 seats across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins, the jet features interiors installed directly on Boeing’s production line. The airline said details of the cabins will be disclosed in the coming weeks.

The arrival marks the start of a year of accelerated widebody inductions. Air India expects a total of six new widebody deliveries in 2026, spanning the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787-9. Alongside new arrivals, 26 legacy Boeing 787-8s are undergoing interior retrofits, including full cabin refreshes and the airline’s updated livery. The retrofit program is underway, with several aircraft scheduled to return to service during the year.

The airline said the newly delivered 787-9 will begin international long-haul commercial service in February 2026, with route and schedule details to follow.