New seats, modern cabins: Air India showcases first retrofit aircraft as $400-mn upgradation bet takes off

VT-EXN is the first of the 27 narrowbody aircraft inherited at the time of takeover that was elected for a complete retrofit to the new Air India standard

Air India on Monday showcased its first retrofitted narrowbody aircraft, VT-EXN (A320neo aircraft). Under the $400 million refit programme, the Tata Group-owned airline will upgrade all 67 legacy narrowbody and widebody aircraft, including 40 Boeing planes.

The airline said that VT-EXN was sent for retrofit last year. Its retrofit is part of the $400 million retrofit programme announced by the Tata group to upgrade the airline’s entire fleet of legacy narrowbody and widebody fleet.

As part of the retrofit for all of the 27 A320neo that is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2025, the airline will be installing over 3,500 brand-new Economy Class seats, more than 600 Premium Economy seats, and 200 Business Class seats.

VT-EXN is the first of the 27 narrowbody aircraft inherited at the time of takeover that was elected for a complete retrofit to the new Air India standard, with new seats, carpets, curtain, cabin ambience, a three-class cabin configuration, along with a fresh coat of paint, new livery – all in the new Air India branding.

"VT-EXN and the remaining 26 A320neos will be operating on the domestic and short haul international, alongside the 14 new A320neos that have been welcomed into the fleet recently, offer modern amenities in three class cabin configuration – ensuring a uniform upgraded experience of passengers," Air India said in a statement.

It has taken 450 meters of premium leather, 15,000 meters of high-quality fabric, and 4,000 meters of plush carpeting.

"All the refitted A320neo aircraft will features eight luxurious business seats, 24 extra legroom seats in premium economy, and 132 comfortable economy seats," Air India said in astatement. The retrofit includes soothing interior ambience, spacious legroom, and wider seat pitch, along with modern features such as portable electronic device (PED) holders and USB ports. New carpets, curtains, upholstery, and cabin panels with fresh design motifs will reinforce the brand livery.

"The retrofit schedule will also see more legacy aircraft, including 40 widebody B787 and B777 aircraft undergo makeover with the first B787 flying out for retrofit next month," the statement further added.

According to Air India CEO and MD, Air India will be retrofitting more than 100 aircraft and has also ordered around 25,000 seats as part of retrofitting the planes.

After taking over the loss-making Air India in January 2022, Tata Group has put in a place a transformation road map for the airline, which is now expanding its fleet as well as network. The carrier has also started operating wide-body A350 planes on various routes.