After its return to the Tata Group, Air India has received its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This is also the first 'line-fit' Dreamliner aircraft specifically manufactured for Air India. Generally, 'line-fit' means an aircraft specially built for a particular aviation company. Think of it like buying a suit off the rack versus having one custom-made to your measurements. Similarly, this Dreamliner aircraft has been completely customized for Air India.

Now, what does this mean for you and other air travelers? Well, it means a lot! You, too, will get to experience flying on this new Dreamliner! For your journey, you will have the option of Economy Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy Class.

What's the update on the Dreamliner aircraft?

An Air India official said on Thursday that the airline took ownership of the 'Dreamliner' at Boeing's Everett factory in Seattle on Wednesday, January 7th. After inspection by the aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), the aircraft is expected to arrive in India in the next few days.

It's worth noting that the Tata Group acquired ownership of the airline from the government in January 2022, and this will be the first 'line-fit' Dreamliner acquired by Air India since its privatization in January 2022.  Previously, Air India acquired a 'line-fit' Dreamliner in October 2017 when the airline was government-owned.

The new aircraft will have three classes: Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class. The official said that this latest aircraft is its first 'wide-body' aircraft and the 52nd aircraft out of the 220 Boeing aircraft ordered in 2023. Air India Express has already received delivery of 51 'narrow-body' Boeing 737 8 aircraft. This includes its first ‘line fit’ aircraft, which was inducted at the end of December.  Following its acquisition by the Tata Group in January 2022, Air India placed orders for 350 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft. Of the Airbus order, six A350 aircraft have already been inducted into Air India's fleet.

Air India already operates 26 B787-8 and 6 B787-9 aircraft from Vistara, which has merged with Air India. The Air India group currently has a fleet of over 300 aircraft, of which 185 belong to Air India and the rest to Air India Express. The official stated that about a dozen older Dreamliner aircraft could return to service in a refurbished state by 2026.

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