**Air India’s Legacy Boeing 777-300 ER Returns with a Stunning Overhaul**
Air India has marked a significant milestone with the return of its first legacy Boeing 777-300 ER, showcasing a remarkable new look. This refurbishment is part of a broader initiative to revamp the remaining 12 aircraft in the fleet, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The retrofitting process, initially scheduled to commence last year, faced delays due to supply chain challenges. The airline has since opted for a comprehensive refresh of these planes, which was carried out in Singapore over a span of 50 days.
### Upgraded Features of the Refurbished Boeing 777-300 ER
The heavy refresh of the aircraft includes:
– Upgraded cabins with a sophisticated ambiance
– New seating arrangements
– Enhanced entertainment systems
– Premium upholstery
– Fresh carpets and cushions
– Repairs to broken seats
### Air India’s Boeing 777 Routes
Air India operates a total of 40 legacy wide-body aircraft, comprising 13 Boeing 777s and 27 Boeing 787s. The Boeing 777s are primarily utilized for ultra-long-haul flights, covering routes that include:
– Toronto
– Vancouver (Canada)
– Newark
– New York (US)
– San Francisco
– Chicago
### Fleet Overview
The airline’s fleet consists of 67 wide-body aircraft, which includes:
– 19 Boeing 777-300 ERs (6 leased from Etihad Airways)
– 8 Boeing 777-200 LRs (5 leased from Delta Air Lines)
– 7 Boeing 787-9s
– 27 legacy Boeing 787-8s
– 6 Airbus A350-600s
The first legacy Boeing 787 is scheduled for retrofit in April. In terms of narrow-body aircraft, Air India operates:
– 14 Airbus A321 neos
– 94 Airbus A320 neos
– 13 Airbus A321 ceos
– 4 Airbus A320 ceos
– 6 Airbus A319s
### Retrofit Program
As part of a $400 million retrofit initiative for both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, the first retrofitted A320neo has already re-entered service. The airline aims to complete the retrofit of all 27 A320neo aircraft by the third quarter of this year.
### Supply Chain Challenges
Air India’s Managing Director and CEO, Campbell Wilson, has indicated that the airline expects to revamp all legacy wide-body aircraft by mid-2027. He noted ongoing supply chain issues, including shortages of engines for some narrow-body aircraft and difficulties with seat suppliers and component sourcing. Wilson emphasized that the aviation industry is likely to remain supply-constrained for the next 4-5 years.
**Conclusion**
With the return of the refurbished Boeing 777-300 ER, Air India is poised to enhance its passenger experience significantly. How do you think these upgrades will impact Air India’s service quality?
### FAQ
**What upgrades were made to the Boeing 777-300 ER?**
The upgrades include new seating, enhanced entertainment systems, premium upholstery, and repairs to broken seats, all contributing to a more sophisticated cabin experience.