Air India has completed the retrofit of its 27 legacy A320neo aircraft within a record one‑year window, part of a USD 400 million fleet modernisation initiative. With these refurbished aircraft, plus newly delivered A320neos and A320 Family jets integrated after the Vistara merger, Air India now operates 104 A320 Family aircraft featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors across 3,024 weekly flights on 82 domestic and short‑haul international routes. The upgraded cabins offer a consistent three‑class product with refreshed Business, Premium Economy, and Economy seats, new carpets and finishes, device charging at every seat, and access to Vista Stream inflight entertainment via personal devices.
Why this retrofit matters for Indian aviation?
Air India’s first phase is a concrete signal of acceleration in India’s airline transformation story, delivering a consistent cabin experience on busy trunk routes and popular short‑haul international sectors. For travellers, this means standardised comfort and amenities regardless of aircraft tail number on key A320 services. For the airline, it supports brand renewal, higher customer satisfaction, and operational reliability while widebody retrofits get underway.
The scope of the upgrade
Three‑class consistency across the narrowbody fleet
Air India’s retrofitted A320neos now feature:
- Business Class with brand‑new ergonomic seating and refreshed cabin ambience
- Premium Economy, unique among Indian full‑service carriers on narrowbodies, providing extra legroom and upgraded upholstery
- Economy Class with modernised seats, improved pitch, and enhanced cabin finishes
Sources: Press release; retrofit explainer.
Quantifying the refresh
Across the first‑phase A320neo legacy fleet, Air India installed:
- 3,564 new Economy seats
- 648 new Premium Economy seats
- 216 new Business seats
- More than 450 metres of premium leather, 15,000 metres of fabric, and 5,000 square metres of carpet
- Repainting in the new Air India livery with approximately 8,000 kg of paint
Sources: Press release.
Power and personalisation at every seat
Every seat now includes USB‑A and USB‑C charging, enabling travellers to power devices and access Vista Stream, Air India’s onboard streaming platform offering close to 900 hours of cinematic content on personal devices.
Network impact: where travellers will feel the difference
With 104 A320 Family aircraft featuring new or upgraded interiors, Air India is operating 3,024 weekly flights across 82 domestic and short‑haul international routes. Highlights include:
Domestic India: Delhi–Mumbai, Delhi–Hyderabad, Delhi–Bengaluru, Delhi–Kolkata, Delhi–Chennai, Mumbai–Bengaluru, Mumbai–Hyderabad, Mumbai–Chennai, Mumbai–Kolkata, among others.
Short‑haul international: Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Bali (Denpasar), Manila, Mauritius, Malé (Maldives), Riyadh, Jeddah, and most flights to and from Singapore.
Customer experience outcomes
Air India reports a consistently high Net Promoter Score (NPS) of approximately 45–50 points on narrowbody operations, aligned with the upgraded physical product and refreshed service standards. The three‑class configuration allows better segmentation of traveller needs, from business flyers to value‑seeking leisure passengers, while device power and streaming entertainment reflect contemporary expectations for digital continuity.
The retrofit in context: a USD 400 million fleet modernisation
This A320neo phase is one part of a broader USD 400 million programme to refurbish legacy narrowbody and widebody aircraft with new seats, modern cabins, and the re‑branded livery. The retrofit plan started with 27 A320neos, then moves to 40 widebodies in phases, including Boeing 787‑8 and 777‑300ER aircraft.
What comes next
- A321 retrofits from 2026: Air India will retrofit 13 legacy A321 aircraft, sequenced alongside aircraft previously operated by Vistara to harmonise the product.
- Boeing 787‑8 retrofits underway: The first of 26 aircraft flew to a Boeing facility in Victorville, California in July 2025, with programme completion targeted for mid‑2027.
- Boeing 777‑300ER retrofits: 13 aircraft will be retrofitted starting early 2027, with completion expected by October 2028, subject to supply chain recovery.
Strategic significance for Air India’s brand
Air India’s renewed narrow-body experience supports a wider transformation strategy that includes aircraft orders, operational reliability programmes, training investments, and a cohesive brand identity. As more aircraft receive upgraded interiors and unified livery, passengers can expect predictable, elevated cabin standards and improved product differentiation across cabin classes.
Traveller takeaways
- Expect a three‑class product on most A320 Family flights, improving choice and comfort across cabin tiers.
- Bring your devices. Seat‑side USB‑A and USB‑C ports plus Vista Stream deliver smoother entertainment and productivity on board.
- Look for the new livery. If your aircraft features Air India’s refreshed branding, cabins will likely match the upgraded spec.
- Routes expanded with consistency. Busy domestic and regional international sectors are leading the rollout, making the improved experience easier to find.
