This article is based on an official press release from Air India.

Air India Upgrades Mumbai-Frankfurt Route with New Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Air India has announced a major enhancement to its long-haul operations, confirming the deployment of its newest Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Mumbai (BOM) to Frankfurt (FRA) route. Effective February 1, 2026, the airline will replace the currently deployed Boeing 777-200LR aircraft with a factory-fresh 787-9, marking a significant step in its “Vihaan.AI” transformation program.

According to the airline’s official statement, this upgrade introduces a modernized three-class cabin configuration, including private suites in Business Class and a dedicated Premium Economy cabin. The move is designed to address customer demand for updated interiors and consistent service standards on key European routes.

Operational Schedule and Frequency

The new aircraft will operate five times weekly, excluding Tuesdays and Fridays. Data from the airline’s schedule indicates the following operational timings:

• Flight AI2027: Departs Mumbai (BOM) at 12:35 PM, arriving in Frankfurt (FRA) at 5:30 PM.
• Flight AI2028: Departs Frankfurt (FRA) at 8:20 PM, arriving in Mumbai (BOM) at 9:00 AM the following day.

This schedule is optimized to facilitate connections through Frankfurt. Through its partnership with Lufthansa, Air India passengers can access over 29 destinations across Europe and the Americas, leveraging Frankfurt’s status as a major Star Alliance hub.

Cabin Configuration and Passenger Experience

Unlike previous Boeing 787-9 aircraft in the Air India fleet, many of which were leased or transferred from Vistara, this specific airframe (registration VT-AWA) features the airline’s bespoke, “line-fit” interior specifications delivered directly from Boeing.

The aircraft accommodates a total of 296 passengers across three distinct classes:

Business Class

The Business Class cabin comprises 30 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. These seats, identified in industry reports as the Adient Ascent model, feature privacy doors, direct aisle access for every passenger, and fully lie-flat beds. This represents a substantial upgrade over the older 2-3-2 layouts found on legacy Dreamliners.

Premium Economy

Recognizing the growing demand for mid-market luxury, Air India has installed a dedicated Premium Economy cabin with 21 seats arranged in a 2-3-2 layout. Passengers in this cabin will benefit from wider seats, greater recline, and increased legroom compared to the standard Economy offering.

Economy Class

The Economy cabin includes 245 seats in a standard 3-3-3 configuration. The airline highlights that these seats are equipped with modern ergonomic features and the latest generation of In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) screens.

Strategic Significance of the Deployment

This deployment is part of a broader strategy to standardize the passenger experience on routes to Germany. With this change, all Air India flights to Germany, including the Delhi-Frankfurt sector, will be operated by new or significantly upgraded aircraft.

In a press statement regarding the upgrade, the airline emphasized the importance of the European market:

“The deployment of our brand-new B787-9 on the Mumbai-Frankfurt route is a testament to our commitment to offering a world-class experience to our guests.”

AirPro News Analysis

The introduction of the “line-fit” Boeing 787-9 on the Mumbai-Frankfurt sector is a critical move for Air India as it seeks to reclaim market share from European carriers. Historically, the airline has faced criticism for aging cabin interiors on its widebody fleet. By deploying a hard product that features private doors in Business Class, Air India is positioning itself to compete directly with Lufthansa, which operates a mix of Boeing 787-9 and 747 aircraft on similar routes.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Premium Economy is strategically vital. As corporate travel policies tighten and leisure travelers seek more comfort without the Business Class price tag, Premium Economy has become the most profitable real estate on modern widebodies. Air India’s ability to offer a consistent three-class product across its German network strengthens its value proposition for both corporate contracts and high-yield leisure travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the new aircraft start flying?
The new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner begins operations on the Mumbai-Frankfurt route on February 1, 2026.

Does the new aircraft have Wi-Fi?
While the press release highlights updated In-Flight Entertainment systems, specific details regarding inflight Wi-Fi availability on this specific airframe have not been explicitly confirmed in the initial announcement.

How is this different from other Air India Dreamliners?
Most of Air India’s existing 787-8 fleet features an older 2-2-2 Business Class layout without privacy doors. This new 787-9 features a modern 1-2-1 suite configuration and a dedicated Premium Economy cabin, which the older 787-8s lack.

Sources

• Air India Press Release