Air India Plans To Retrofit 85% Of Its Seats By 2025-Second Half; Will Provide 1,000 Premium Seats Daily To Its Passengers

Air India is planning to retrofit as many as 1,000 seats. This undertaking is a part of a massive fleet modernisation programme. It plans to offer nearly 1,000 premium economy seats daily through this extensive aircraft retrofitting initiative. The airline aims to upgrade 85 per cent of its narrow-body fleet by the latter half of 2025. This is being done with the aim of improving the travel experience for the passengers. Here are all of the important details that you would need to know about this particular plan by the country’s flag carrier airline.

Air India Plans To Retrofit 85% Of Its Seat By 2025 Second Half

As per Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s chief commercial and transformation officer, the carrier serves approximately 63 million passengers. The majority travel on domestic and short-haul routes via narrow-body aircraft. These aircraft constitute two-thirds of the airline’s total capacity.

The narrow-body fleet comprises 120 aircraft, including 70 from Vistara. These were already well-maintained. Of Air India’s 50 aircraft, 41 will be retrofitted by June 2024. The remaining nine A321 CEO aircraft will undergo modifications within the following 12 months.

As of now, 14 of the 41 A320neo legacy aircraft have been upgraded, with the remaining 27 scheduled for completion by mid-2024. The retrofitted aircraft will feature a three-class configuration. It will include business, premium economy and economy classes, with each aircraft offering 24 premium economy and eight business class seats.

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Will Provide 1,000 Premium Economy Seats For Its Passengers

During the transition period, Vistara aircraft are being prioritised on key corporate and premium routes. The airline is also planning to commence the retrofitting of its 40 wide-body jets, with the first Boeing 787-9 expected to be completed later this year.

However, supply chain issues and global challenges faced by seat manufacturers have delayed the upgrading of aircraft serving long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes. Air India’s revenue growth has been particularly strong in premium cabins. Business and premium economy showing 2.3 times growth compared to 1.6 times in economy class.

This success is attributed to improved pricing strategies, enhanced airport services, better in-flight experiences, upgraded meal quality and strengthened brand perception.

Also Read: Air India Express Passengers Sat On Delhi-Pune Flight For Over 7 Hours; Had To Undergo Security Check Process Again

Are you looking forward to the retrofitted seats? Let us know in the comments section below!

Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

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