Air India’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner: All you need to know!

by Dhiyanesh Ravichandran · Published January 27, 2026 · Updated January 30, 2026

Air India has inducted its first custom-built wide body aircraft since its privatization, the Boeing 787-9. The new ‘Dreamliner’ will be pressed into service in Mumbai-Frankfurt route starting next month.

Boeing 787-9 Air India — *Air India’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner*

Air India recently took delivery of its first purpose-built Boeing 787-9 ‘Dreamliner’ wide-body aircraft, marking a significant milestone in terms of fleet modernization. The aircraft, registered as VT-AWA, is the first of the 220 Boeing jets that the operator ordered in 2023. Three more aircrafts of the total 21 units of B787-9s in order will join the fleet this year.

Starting from February 1, the new commercial jet will ply between Mumbai and Frankfurt for five days a week. The aircraft boasts fresh cabin layout designed by JP Designs, matching top-notch global standards. There are 30 fully-enclosed Business Class suites with full lie-flat beds in 1-2-1 configurations. The ‘Premium Economy’ section has 28 seats, followed by 238 Economy seats in 3-3-3 configuration.

The aircraft scores high in terms of passenger comfort and in-flight entertainment. The windows of the B787-9 are the largest in any commercial jets on sale today. They are also positioned high on the fuselage, thereby offering better spatial awareness and less claustrophobic. Other in-cabin features include advanced air filtration system, adaptive ambient lighting, and improved storage options.

Technically speaking, the B787-9 can fly non-stop for about 14,000 kms (8,700 miles). It is said to consume just 2.5 litres of fuel for a passenger for 100 kms, which is about 30 percent less than other widebodies in the market. Air India has opted for GE Aerospace GEnx-1B High-bypass turbofan engines that are fuel efficient and silent in operation. They offer 20 percent less fuel burn than B767 widebody engines.

The new Dreamliner is 62.80 meters long, with a wingspan of 60.10 meters. It can cruise at altitudes up to 13,100 meters with a top speed of 920 kms per hour. It’s max take-off weight is 252,650 kgs. Originally designed to replace Boeing 767-300ER, the B787-9s entered service in 2014 and is one of the most reliable B787 variant among global operators.

Air India is already flying six Boeing 787-9s that originally belonged to Vistara. The operator’s fleet also includes 26 B787-8s and two Airbus A350-1000s, which together constitutes its flagship models in the stable.