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Air India to go luxury with 400 million overhaul budget
In a recent update, Air India is all set to go on a transformative journey costing around $400 million! The refurbishment program is aimed at modernizing 67 of its older aircraft. With this, the Tata-owned airline’s wishes to boost its status to that of a luxury carrier. This extensive overhaul will begin with 27 narrow-body Airbus A320neo planes, followed by a comprehensive upgrade of 40 wide-body Boeing aircraft.The phased revamp will come up with a modernized three-cabin layout across the fleet. This includes enhancements in seating, carpeting, curtains, and upholstery. The first aircraft to undergo this extensive refit is the Airbus A320neo, VT-EXN, which entered the hangar this week.
After completing the prototyping phase and receiving necessary regulatory approvals, VT-EXN is anticipated to resume commercial service by December 2024. It will join the eight newly-delivered A320neo aircraft already equipped with updated cabin interiors and configurations.
Following VT-EXN, Air India plans to retrofit three to four aircraft per month, aiming to complete the modernization of its narrow-body fleet by mid-2025. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India, emphasized the significance of this refit, stating, "The commencement of the interior refit of the narrow-body fleet is an important step in our journey of enhancing the flying experience of our customers. Over time, all the legacy wide-body aircraft will also be refitted. This comprehensive upgradation of Air India’s physical product is an important component of Air India transforming into a world-class airline."
Since Tata’s acquisition of the airline in 2022, substantial investments have been made in acquiring hundreds of new jets, revamping the carrier's branding, and implementing operational improvements. The upgraded A320neo aircraft will feature eight luxury Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom, and 132 comfortable Economy Class seats. Enhancements include spacious legroom, modern lighting, USB ports (Type A and C) for device charging, and updated cabin interiors with new carpets, curtains, and upholstery.
Business Class will offer 40-inch seats with adjustable armrests and charging ports, while Premium Economy will have larger seats with adjustable headrests and 32-inch legroom. Economy Class will feature ergonomic seats with a 28-29 inch pitch and additional legroom. Over 15,000 new-generation seats will be installed across all classes as part of this upgrade.
Air India is also preparing to overhaul 40 older wide-body Boeing 787 and 777 planes. The new designs and top-quality seats are finalized, and the airline is collaborating with seat manufacturers to secure approvals and expedite production. The first wide-body aircraft is expected to begin its upgrade in early 2025, signaling the start of a new era for Air India’s fleet.
Source: Times Of India
