This marks the first custom-made Dreamliner for the airline.
Typically, line fit refers to an aircraft specifically manufactured for a certain airline.
On Thursday (January 8), an official announced that Air India finalized the title transfer of the Dreamliner at Boeing’s Everett factory in Seattle on January 7.
After evaluations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft, also the first line fit Dreamliner procured by Air India since Tata’s acquisition in January 2022, is anticipated to arrive in India in the coming days.
The new aircraft features a three-class configuration—economy, premium economy, and business class seats.
The last line fit Dreamliner acquired by Air India occurred in October 2017, during its government ownership.
Read more: Air India seeks new CEO to succeed Campbell Wilson, sources indicate
According to the official, the latest aircraft is the airline’s first wide-body and the 52nd overall delivery from the 220 Boeing jets ordered in 2023.
Air India Express has already received 51 narrow-body Boeing 737-8s, including its inaugural line fit plane that was added in late December.
Following Tata’s takeover in January 2022, Air India placed orders for 350 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft. Of the Airbus order, six A350s have already been introduced into the Air India fleet.
Air India currently operates 26 B787-8s and six B787-9s from the former Vistara, which merged with the airline.
At present, Air India Group manages over 300 planes, with 185 in Air India and the remainder in Air India Express.
The official noted that a dozen more legacy Dreamliners with updated interiors are expected to return to service through 2026.
In November of last year, Air India’s CEO and MD Campbell Wilson mentioned that the Air India Group aims to introduce 26 wide-body and narrow-body planes and operate 81% of its international flights with upgraded aircraft by the end of 2026.
