Air India Express is changing how budget travel feels in India. The airline has unveiled its first retrofitted Boeing 737‑8 at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. As a result, travellers will see a cabin that blends style, comfort, and technology. This milestone is part of a wider transformation. It began with a refreshed brand identity in October 2023. Now, it extends to an ambitious Winter 2025 schedule.
A Cabin That Feels Premium
To begin with, the Boeing 737‑8 interior looks and feels different. The seats are ergonomically designed with synthetic leather. In addition, they feature superior padding, thicker armrests, and improved legroom. These Collins Aerospace seats offer a pitch from 29 to 38 inches. They also provide a recline of 3 inches. Therefore, comfort improves even on longer flights.
Moreover, Boeing’s Sky Interior mood lighting lifts the ambience. It creates a soothing environment throughout the journey. The cabin also features brand‑new carpets and a refreshed colour palette. Consequently, the space feels modern, warm, and inviting.
Tech and Taste Onboard
Every seat offers a USB‑C charging port. Therefore, passengers can keep devices powered with ease. However, the upgrades do not stop at connectivity. The airline has also elevated the food experience.
Specifically, the ‘Gourmair’ hot meals menu now includes Awadhi Chicken Biryani and Paneer Makhani with Jeera Aloo. It also features Hakka Noodles with Veg Manchurian. Furthermore, guests can pre‑book ‘Moments by AIX’ Celebration Cakes. As a result, special occasions can be marked onboard with a personal touch.
The Boeing 737‑8 Advantage
The Boeing 737‑8 belongs to the MAX family. It is known for strong fuel efficiency and quieter engines. Powered by CFM LEAP‑1B engines, it can deliver up to 14 percent lower fuel burn than older models. Consequently, costs and environmental impact reduce together. This retrofit brings modern comfort to the fleet now. In other words, passengers benefit without waiting for new aircraft deliveries.
Winter 2025: Bigger, Bolder, Better
The cabin upgrade aligns with the airline’s most ambitious Winter Schedule yet. In Winter 2025, Air India Express will operate more than 2,700 weekly domestic flights. It will also fly 780 short‑haul international services. Altogether, the network will cover 114 domestic and 70 international routes.
Moreover, the plan represents a 25 percent expansion over last winter. It adds 48 new domestic routes and 10 new international routes. Meanwhile, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru now account for 74 percent of domestic departures. In addition, Navi Mumbai and Bengaluru are emerging as major hubs. Therefore, connectivity strengthens and frequency increases across key markets. As a result, travellers gain better schedule choice and convenience.
Key route highlights
- New domestic routes: Delhi–Goa, Bengaluru–Srinagar, Ahmedabad–Goa, Bhubaneswar–Lucknow, and more.
- New international routes: Bengaluru–Bangkok, Bengaluru–Jeddah, Bengaluru–Kuwait, Bengaluru–Riyadh, and Lucknow–Riyadh.
A Brand That Speaks to Modern India
Air India Express is not only upgrading aircraft. It is also refreshing how the brand communicates. Recently, the airline launched “Xplore More, Xpress More.” This is one of the largest brand campaigns in Indian aviation. Conceptualised with Omnicom Advertising Group and directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the campaign celebrates the power of travel. Therefore, it positions Air India Express as vibrant, inclusive, and authentically Indian.
Furthermore, the fleet is growing to 115 aircraft, including 50 brand‑new planes. The network now spans 60 destinations across South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Consequently, the airline can make flying affordable, comfortable, and memorable for more people.
Why This Matters
Budget travel in India is evolving. Passengers want low fares. However, they also expect comfort, connectivity, and a touch of personalisation. Air India Express is meeting these needs head‑on. In fact, it shows that economy travel can feel premium without extra cost.
Looking ahead, retrofitted cabins will roll out across more aircraft. At the same time, the network will keep expanding. Therefore, travellers can expect journeys that combine value with modern amenities. In short, Air India Express is setting a new benchmark for the industry.
