u/Sad_Yesterday6572

Now that air India’s a321neo are yet to arrive until 2027, what are ur thoughts on which seat types would be used on them for business class, economy class or premium economy

Tewolde Gebremariam(Ex-Ethiopian airlines)

“To accelerate the retrofit of its legacy B787-8 fleet, airindia has tapped Boeing's MRO facility in China alongside its Victorville operation.
9 year old B787-8, VT-ANZ will be the first aircraft to undergo a full retrofit in China. It is now enroute from Mumbai to Shanghai”

source- https://x.com/Vinamralongani/status/2083944067315236880?s=20

“Here is the very first photo of airindia 's third legacy B787-8, VT-NAC in the new livery taken by Michael Ing today in San Bernardino, USA.
It was retrofitted in Victorville before being ferried to San Bernardino.
It will fly back to Delhi soon and re-enter service thereafter.”

source- https://x.com/Vinamralongani/status/2082670377583452658?s=20

"India's and airindia's 1st A350-1000 has had its seats installed ahead of its planned October 2026 arrival.
Unlike the 6 x A350-900 currently in service, the -1000 will debut recaro_a's R7 Business seat below for reference. Seats will be in the new Air India colours and trim."

source: https://x.com/Vinamralongani/status/2081019213570085054?s=20

"Taken by Andrew, this is perhaps the 1st photo of air india's VT-NAC at San Bernardino after arriving from Victorville yesterday where it underwent a full retrofit.
Notably, a section of the roof was cut to install the WiFi radome.
It will be painted before flying back to India."

source- https://x.com/Vinamralongani/status/2072665011479302527?s=20

As of July 2 2026, Only 15 out of 26 B787-8 are operational, others are either grounded or in U.S. for retrofit.

The grounding also includes VT-ANP( second retrofitted 787-8 ) currently stuck in London Gatwick

Check on Flightradar24 for confirmation

"Air India yesterday began deploying its newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft between Mumbai and London Heathrow, bringing its latest-generation onboard product to one of its flagship international routes.

Effective since yesterday, Air India flights AI131/AI130 between Mumbai and London Heathrow will be operated by the airline's new Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring all-new cabin interiors designed exclusively for Air India and installed directly on Boeing's production line. These line-fit aircraft are the first Boeing 787s purpose-built for Air India, embodying the airline's new standards of comfort, technology, and customer experience.

The deployment also introduces Premium Economy Class on the route, offering customers a broader range of travel choices across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.

Air India’s second daily service between Mumbai and London Heathrow will continue to be served by its upgraded Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring First Class, ensuring customers on both services enjoy an enhanced onboard experience.

Elevated onboard experience

Air India’s brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft feature a three-class cabin configuration with 30 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 Economy seats, blending contemporary design, advanced technology, and Indian-inspired aesthetics.

Guests travelling on Air India’s Mumbai-London Heathrow route will now enjoy a wide range of enhancements, including:

• Luxurious Business Class suites, direct aisle access, 79 inches fully flat beds, wireless charging, generous personal storage and immersive inflight entertainment on a large 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen – all designed to provide a comfortable and restful long-haul experience.
• A dedicated Premium Economy cabin with wider seats in a 2-3-2 layout, 38-inch pitch providing ample legroom, generous recline, adjustable headrests, adjustable leg and calf rests, 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, offering enhanced comfort and personal space.
• Economy Class experience, with ergonomically designed seats designed for long-haul travel, 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and improved comfort and thoughtfully integrated personal electronic device holders.
• Next-generation inflight entertainment, powered by the Thales AVANT Up system with high-definition touchscreens, Bluetooth audio connectivity, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, AC power outlets and an intuitive user interface across all cabins.
• Bluetooth headphone pairing, enabling guests to enjoy an entertainment content library of over 3,000 hours on board using their own Bluetooth-enabled headphones.
• New mood lighting in the cabins inspired by ancient Indian wellness traditions.
• A refreshed onboard product, including thoughtfully curated menus showcasing Indian and international flavours, premium chinaware, glassware and tableware, plush bedding, redesigned amenity kits and other signature touches that together deliver a more refined and consistent onboard experience.

Connecting India with the UK and beyond

The United Kingdom is one of Air India's most important international markets, with strong demand from business and leisure travellers as well as the Indian diaspora. Air India currently operates 57 weekly non-stop flights between India and the UK, connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Amritsar with London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Birmingham.

Air India’s UK services provide customers with greater choice, convenient schedules and seamless onward connectivity via Air India’s hubs in India to and from destinations across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia"- AIR INDIA

source= https://www.airindia.com/in/en/newsroom/press-release/Air-India-elevates-Mumbai-London-Heathrow-services-with-brand-new-B787-9-featuring-new-premium-cabins.html

"Air India yesterday began deploying its newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft between Mumbai and London Heathrow, bringing its latest-generation onboard product to one of its flagship international routes.

Effective since yesterday, Air India flights AI131/AI130 between Mumbai and London Heathrow will be operated by the airline's new Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring all-new cabin interiors designed exclusively for Air India and installed directly on Boeing's production line. These line-fit aircraft are the first Boeing 787s purpose-built for Air India, embodying the airline's new standards of comfort, technology, and customer experience.

The deployment also introduces Premium Economy Class on the route, offering customers a broader range of travel choices across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.

Air India’s second daily service between Mumbai and London Heathrow will continue to be served by its upgraded Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring First Class, ensuring customers on both services enjoy an enhanced onboard experience.

Elevated onboard experience

Air India’s brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft feature a three-class cabin configuration with 30 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 Economy seats, blending contemporary design, advanced technology, and Indian-inspired aesthetics.

Guests travelling on Air India’s Mumbai-London Heathrow route will now enjoy a wide range of enhancements, including:

• Luxurious Business Class suites, direct aisle access, 79 inches fully flat beds, wireless charging, generous personal storage and immersive inflight entertainment on a large 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen – all designed to provide a comfortable and restful long-haul experience.
• A dedicated Premium Economy cabin with wider seats in a 2-3-2 layout, 38-inch pitch providing ample legroom, generous recline, adjustable headrests, adjustable leg and calf rests, 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, offering enhanced comfort and personal space.
• Economy Class experience, with ergonomically designed seats designed for long-haul travel, 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and improved comfort and thoughtfully integrated personal electronic device holders.
• Next-generation inflight entertainment, powered by the Thales AVANT Up system with high-definition touchscreens, Bluetooth audio connectivity, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, AC power outlets and an intuitive user interface across all cabins.
• Bluetooth headphone pairing, enabling guests to enjoy an entertainment content library of over 3,000 hours on board using their own Bluetooth-enabled headphones.
• New mood lighting in the cabins inspired by ancient Indian wellness traditions.
• A refreshed onboard product, including thoughtfully curated menus showcasing Indian and international flavours, premium chinaware, glassware and tableware, plush bedding, redesigned amenity kits and other signature touches that together deliver a more refined and consistent onboard experience.

Connecting India with the UK and beyond

The United Kingdom is one of Air India's most important international markets, with strong demand from business and leisure travellers as well as the Indian diaspora. Air India currently operates 57 weekly non-stop flights between India and the UK, connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Amritsar with London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Birmingham.

Air India’s UK services provide customers with greater choice, convenient schedules and seamless onward connectivity via Air India’s hubs in India to and from destinations across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia"- AIR INDIA

source= https://www.airindia.com/in/en/newsroom/press-release/Air-India-elevates-Mumbai-London-Heathrow-services-with-brand-new-B787-9-featuring-new-premium-cabins.html