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Air India is deploying newer aircraft on its Canada routes as part of an effort to increase its North American market share beyond 30 percent and modernize the passenger experience.
The airline has introduced the Boeing 787-9 on flights between Toronto and Delhi, replacing older aircraft previously used on the route. The aircraft features 30 business-class seats, 28 premium economy seats and 238 economy-class seats.
Air India officials said the upgraded service, operating 10 times a week since early last month, has received a strong response from the Indo-Canadian community and other travelers.
Senior Air India officials Raghavendra Singh, Amit Arora, Arun Kapoor and Hardeep Singh outlined the aircraft’s features during a media presentation. Anshu Kashyap also attended the event.
The officials highlighted more than four decades of civil aviation ties between Canada and India, saying Air India aims to strengthen those connections by addressing passenger demand across several travel corridors between the two countries.
They said the new aircraft’s interiors were designed with passengers’ expectations and preferences in mind, incorporating elements inspired by Indian traditions and heritage.
Air India also plans to open an office in Toronto. The airline currently operates from Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Air India and Air Canada are the only carriers currently operating nonstop flights between Canada and India, according to the officials. Air India’s network also offers international passengers its Easy Connect service at several Indian airports, including Amritsar, in addition to Delhi and Mumbai.
Under the service, a passenger traveling from Amritsar to Toronto can check baggage and complete immigration procedures in Amritsar instead of doing so during a connection in Delhi or Mumbai, the officials said.
Members of the media were given a tour of the aircraft and shown how Indian cultural and heritage influences were incorporated into its cabin furnishings.
“We have not started talking about the introduction of first class. It will take us a while to upgrade this new acquisition with the elite class,” said Amit Arora, Air India’s regional manager for North America.
In addition to acquiring new aircraft, Air India plans to renovate and upgrade its lounges at destinations across North America. The carrier maintains interline and codeshare partnerships with Air Canada and WestJet.
“We are trying to keep our promises after taking over the airline from government control. Modernization and upgrading of the fleet have been the first steps,” the officials said.
They added that all 17 existing flights serving Delhi are expected to use the newer aircraft by the end of the year. Air India also plans to deploy Boeing 787-9 aircraft on its Vancouver-Delhi and Toronto-Mumbai services by February next year.
Air India was acquired by the Tata Group from the Indian government in January 2022. Fleet modernization has been a central component of the airline’s transformation under private ownership.
In December 2024, Air India placed an order for 100 additional Airbus aircraft, including 10 widebody A350s and 90 narrowbody aircraft from the A320 family. The airline subsequently ordered 30 additional Boeing aircraft, comprising 20 Boeing 737-8s and 10 Boeing 737-10s.
Those purchases brought Air India’s total orders to 600 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline began receiving planes from its firm orders during the second half of 2023 and has continued to renew its fleet progressively.
Air India launched a $400 million refit program in September 2024 to renovate 66 older aircraft, including 27 Airbus A320neo narrowbody planes and 39 Boeing widebody aircraft.
The program includes new cabin configurations, seats, carpets, curtains and upholstery designed to provide a consistent experience across the airline’s expanding fleet.
The modernization of Air India’s 27 older narrowbody aircraft has been completed, with all of the Airbus A320neo planes returning to service with new cabin interiors. The retrofit program was completed within a year.
Combined with more than 70 additional narrowbody aircraft featuring upgraded interiors, the improvements allow Air India to operate more than 3,600 domestic and short-haul international flights each week using aircraft with new or refurbished cabins. The airline said the upgrades have transformed the passenger experience on nearly 80 percent of its narrowbody routes.
“We take care of every passenger, especially our own Indo-Canadian community, with cabin crew members well trained and equipped to handle all their needs. They understand the psyche and requirements, besides speaking the language of our passengers, to make their journeys comfortable and enjoyable,” the officials said, adding, “We serve our passengers like a Maharaja.”
Air India currently operates a fleet of 177 aircraft, including several Airbus and Boeing models.
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