Air India Revamp Targets Refitting Completion By Early 2027, Aims To Cut Layover Time—Here’s All About Airline’s Turnaround

The long-term revitalisation plan for Air India will start by concentrating on the airline's 27 Boeing Co. 787-8 Dreamliners, some of which are over a decade old, with the aim of finishing the refit by early 2027, NDTV reported.

The subsequent phase, which will begin towards the end of next year, involves the older Boeing 777 widebodies. However, this step is proving to be more complicated due to problems with seat suppliers, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Campbell Wilson.

In an interview, Wilson emphasised on consistency and said, "There should be a consistency in product quality, crew service, punctuality, and experience at airports and in aircraft. We are working on all of those."

Two years ago, Air India aimed to capitalise on the surge in India's aviation industry, placing a substantial order for new planes from Airbus SE and Boeing to modernise its fleet.

The introduction of new lounges, quicker connection times, and highly trained ground staff are additional factors aiming to enhance not only the airline's profitability but also the passenger experience at its hubs in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. These improvements are designed to reestablish the carrier's presence on the global stage.

Wilson has aimed to improve certain upgrades, such as enhancing connection timings. For instance, the stopover time in India for a flight from Australia to Europe has been cut down to 180 minutes, a significant reduction from the previous duration of up to 10 hours. This improvement has assisted Air India in increasing the proportion of transit passengers to a high single digit, a notable rise from virtually zero, according to Wilson.

Wilson admitted that the overall travel experience often fell short of his expectations and said, "There are some cases that we have not done as well as we could."

The combination of old and new materials in cabin interiors, along with unappealing reviews on social media that highlight issues such as untidy seating and poor-quality catering, has been a concern.

Wilson suggested that a thorough overhaul would involve updating all lavatories, interior panels, carpets, and curtains, as well as enhancing the current seating and in-flight entertainment systems where feasible.