Air India has introduced its first retrofitted narrowbody aircraft, the VT-EXN (A320neo), as part of its ongoing fleet modernization. This marks a significant milestone in the airline’s transformation process. The VT-EXN, one of the 27 narrowbody aircraft inherited during the airline’s acquisition, has been fully upgraded to meet the new Air India standards. The retrofit includes new seats, carpets, curtains, a refreshed cabin ambiance, a three-class cabin configuration, and a new coat of paint with Air India’s updated livery.
The aircraft underwent its retrofit last year, as part of the larger USD 400 million retrofit program launched by the Tata Group. This initiative aims to upgrade Air India’s entire fleet, including both narrowbody and widebody aircraft.
Along with the retrofitted VT-EXN, the remaining 26 A320neo aircraft will operate on domestic and short-haul international routes. These planes, alongside the 14 new A320neo aircraft recently added to the fleet, offer a modern three-class cabin configuration. This ensures a consistent, upgraded experience for passengers across the entire fleet.
By the third quarter of 2025, all 27 A320neo aircraft will be retrofitted. This includes the installation of over 3,500 new Economy Class seats, more than 600 Premium Economy seats, and 200 Business Class seats. The retrofit process has required 450 meters of premium leather, 15,000 meters of high-quality fabric, and 4,000 meters of plush carpeting.
Each retrofitted A320neo now features eight luxurious Business Class seats, 24 extra legroom seats in Premium Economy, and 132 comfortable Economy seats. Other upgrades include a soothing interior ambiance, spacious legroom, and wider seat pitch, along with modern amenities such as portable electronic device (PED) holders and USB ports. New carpets, curtains, upholstery, and cabin panels with fresh design motifs further enhance the aircraft’s new look and feel, reinforcing the airline’s brand identity.
In addition to the A320neo upgrades, Air India’s retrofit program will also include 40 widebody aircraft, including the B787 and B777 models. The first B787 is scheduled to undergo its retrofit next month.
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