India's Air India has welcomed its first retrofitted Boeing 787-8, registration VT-ANT, which landed in Delhi at 10.43 pm. The aircraft, one of 26 to be refurbished, has undergone a comprehensive makeover from nose to tail.
After receiving interior upgrades at Boeing's Modification Center in Victorville, California, the aircraft was repainted in Air India's new livery at an FAA-certified facility in San Bernardino, California.
Following regulatory clearances, the aircraft flew a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino to Delhi, landing at 10.39 pm. Air India aims to turn its debt-laden airline into a world-class experience with its $400 million fleet retrofit programme.
The retrofit programme includes brand-new interiors with a three-class configuration, advanced inflight entertainment systems, and upgraded amenities. The airline plans to complete the programme by mid-2027 and will also retrofit 13 of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft by October 2028.
