Air India is actively retrofitting its aircraft following criticism from passengers on social media about outdated cabins and worn-out interiors.

To enhance passenger experience, the airline has launched an extensive retrofit program for its 13 Boeing 777s, with the first fully refreshed aircraft, VT-ALK, now rejoining the fleet.

With 12 more B777s set to undergo upgrades, let’s take a closer look at the changes and new features being introduced.

Air India’s Retrofit Plan: An Overview

air india  has been aggressively working to refurbish its aging fleet. As reported in December 2024, the airline planned to commence its Boeing 787 retrofit in April 2025, with the aircraft expected to return to service by October 2025.

The Boeing 777 retrofit, however, will take even longer, with only a temporary “refresh” being implemented in 2025 before the full-scale upgrades begin in early 2026.

air india order A heavy refresh includes replacing carpets, seat covers, cushions, and fixing broken seats. Air India currently operates 40 legacy wide-body aircraft—13 Boeing 777s and 27 Boeing 787s.

A Twitter user recently unveiled exclusive images of Air India’s first refurbished Boeing 777 cabin, highlighting the improvements made under the airline’s interim enhancement program.

The First Refreshed Boeing 777 Returns

The first upgraded Boeing 777-300ER, VT-ALK, has returned from Singapore after undergoing a heavy cabin refresh that took nearly two months. The refreshed aircraft features:

• New seat covers and carpeting, giving cabins a fresher and more modern look.
• Improved Business Class upholstery, enhancing comfort and aesthetics.
• A refreshed First Class cabin, eliminating stains and restoring its premium shine.

The retrofitted aircraft will initially be deployed on domestic routes for testing before resuming ultra-long-haul flights to destinations such as Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Chicago, Newark, and New York.

Full-Scale Boeing 777 Retrofit to Begin in 2026

While the initial refresh aims to enhance the look and feel of the aircraft, the full-fledged Boeing 777 retrofit, including the installation of new seats and in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, is slated to commence in early 2026. The airline aims to complete the upgrade of all 13 legacy Boeing 777s by December 2025 under this interim enhancement program.

Air India’s $400 Million Fleet Modernization

Under its ambitious $400 million fleet modernization program, Air India is upgrading both its narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. The first fully retrofitted air india a350, A320neo aircraft has already returned to service, and all 27 A320neos are expected to be upgraded by the third quarter of 2025.

Despite its ambitious retrofit program, air india flights faces several challenges, including a global shortage of aircraft components, engines for narrow-body jets, seat suppliers, and fuselage parts. CEO Campbell Wilson acknowledged these bottlenecks but affirmed the airline’s commitment to its transformation journey.

With the first refreshed Boeing 777 now in service and more upgrades in the pipeline, Air India is set to enhance passenger experience while reinforcing its position in the global aviation market.