DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) will deploy a Boeing 777 with First Class suites on its daily Delhi–Melbourne service starting July 1, 2026, upgrading passenger comfort on the route, Executive Traveller flagged.
Flights will operate between Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Melbourne Airport (MEL), replacing the Boeing 787 currently used on the service.
Air India First Class to Melbourne
Air India will introduce a Boeing 777 aircraft featuring premium cabins previously operated by Etihad Airways, marking a significant upgrade for passengers flying between India and Australia.
The aircraft is part of six Boeing 777 jets originally flown by Etihad Airways and leased by Air India in 2023. Air India completed the purchase of these aircraft in 2025, integrating them into its long-haul fleet.
At the front of the aircraft are eight Diamond First Class suites, offering enclosed private spaces designed for long-haul comfort. Each suite includes walls up to 1.6 meters high, a sliding privacy door, and a seat that converts into a fully flat bed measuring approximately two meters in length.
Behind the First Class cabin, the aircraft features 40 Pearl Business Class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access. While these cabins reflect an earlier design generation, they still provide a noticeable improvement over the Boeing 787 Dreamliner currently serving the route.
Dreamliner Fleet Moves to Other Routes
Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners will exit the Delhi–Melbourne route until at least early 2027, according to airline scheduling data.
The move allows the carrier to deploy larger aircraft with enhanced premium offerings on routes with strong demand.
The shift also aligns with Air India’s broader fleet renewal and cabin modernization strategy.
Business Class Upgrades Planned Across Dreamliner Fleet
Air India has already begun planning major cabin upgrades across its Dreamliner fleet. New Boeing 787-9 aircraft will arrive with modern business class suites featuring privacy doors.
Existing Boeing 787-8 aircraft will also undergo cabin refits, bringing consistency across the airline’s long-haul operations and improving competitiveness against global carriers.
Strategic Importance of the Delhi–Melbourne Route
The Delhi–Melbourne service is one of Air India’s key connections between India and Australia, serving business travelers, students, and the large Indian diaspora in Australia.
Introducing First Class and upgraded Business Class cabins strengthens Air India’s premium offering while increasing competitiveness in a high-demand international sector.
Air India Int’l Network Changes
According to Aeroroutes, Air India (AI) will replace its Boeing 777-300ER with the newer Boeing 787-9 on select Delhi (DEL) to Toronto (YYZ) flights starting August 2026, adjusting capacity and cabin offerings.
The route continues with 10 weekly services, while network updates also introduce new Boeing 787 aircraft across major European routes.
Aircraft Upgrade on Delhi to Toronto Services
Air India’s schedule update confirms deployment of the 278-seat Boeing 787-9 on AI187 and AI188 flights between Delhi and Toronto beginning August 2026. The service currently uses the larger Boeing 777-300ER.
The Delhi to Toronto westbound flights operate via Vienna, maintaining connectivity while optimizing aircraft efficiency. The change aligns with the airline’s broader fleet modernization program focused on fuel-efficient aircraft.
Updated operations include:
• AI187: Delhi 01:35, Vienna 06:40 / 08:00, Toronto 10:50, operated by Boeing 787-9
• AI189: Delhi 12:00, Vienna 17:15 / 18:35, Toronto 21:45, mixed operations during transition
• AI190: Toronto 00:20 to Delhi 01:50 next day, continues with Boeing 777-300ER
• AI188: Toronto 11:50 to Delhi 13:20 next day, operated by Boeing 787-9
The airline maintains ten weekly flights on the route, ensuring stable connectivity while adjusting aircraft deployment.
Introduction of New Boeing 787-8 Fleet
Air India also confirmed the service entry of a new 250-seat Boeing 787-8 aircraft scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, Aeroroutes reported.
The cabin layout includes:
• 20 Business Class seats
• 25 Premium Economy seats
• 205 Economy seats
This configuration supports Air India’s push to improve product consistency while increasing premium seat availability on long-haul routes.
Expansion of Boeing 787-9 Services to Europe
The newer 278-seat Boeing 787-9 aircraft will expand beyond Frankfurt services into additional European destinations.
Planned deployments include:
Delhi to London Heathrow
Operations between May and July 2026 will see 787-9 deployment on AI2015 and AI2016.
Mumbai to London Heathrow
Daily services beginning July 2026 transition to the new aircraft on AI131 and AI130.
Mumbai to Frankfurt
Five weekly services will also receive upgraded aircraft assignments.
Wider Network Adjustments in 2026
Additional updates across the network include:
• Bengaluru to London Heathrow flights switching aircraft from August 2026 on AI133 and AI132
• Delhi to London Heathrow services updated between April and May 2026 on AI2017 and AI2018
• Mumbai to London Heathrow fleet adjustments effective late June 2026 on AI129 and AI128
These changes support network growth while aligning aircraft capacity with route demand.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
