Business class on a B777-300 ER aircraft. Photo: Air India Indian airline Air India has announced its summer 2026 flight schedule. Highlights include deploying new and upgraded aircraft on key international routes, increasing frequencies, and adding new service classes on several long-haul destinations.
Between February and March 2026, several changes will take effect:
From February 14, the Delhi-Tokyo Haneda route will be operated with B787-9 aircraft in a three-class configuration, including the launch of a Premium Economy class. The move will add approximately 2,408 seats per month between the two cities.
Effective March 1, the Delhi-Toronto route will increase from 7 to 10 weekly flights.
Starting March 29, the frequency on the Delhi-Seoul-Incheon route will increase from 5 to 6 weekly flights, and the new Delhi-Shanghai route will increase from 4 to 5 weekly flights, adding approximately 2,048 seats per month on each route.
Air India is expanding its international network. Photo: Air IndiaFrom July 1, the Mumbai-London Heathrow route will be operated by a combination of new B787-9 aircraft and fully refurbished older B787-8 aircraft. The aircraft will replace the B777 300ER aircraft currently operating on the route.
At the same time, the daily Delhi-Melbourne route will be operated on a B777 300ER in an upgraded configuration, introducing first class with 8 suites, 40 business seats that convert to a full bed, and 280 economy seats. The move will add almost 4,000 seats per month between Delhi and Melbourne.
From August 1, the Bangalore-London Heathrow route will be operated with refurbished B787-8 aircraft, with the launch of Premium Economy. This will see all of the airline's flights to and from London Heathrow operated on aircraft with new cabins.
In addition, 7 of the 10 weekly flights on the Delhi-Toronto route will be operated on new B787-9 aircraft in a three-class configuration, while the remaining 3 flights will continue to operate on B777 300ER aircraft. Following the move, more than 50 percent of the company's flights to North America will be operated on new or upgraded aircraft.
The company's flights to Birmingham from Amritsar and Madhya Pradesh, and to London Gatwick from Ahmedabad and Amritsar, will be operated on B777 300ER aircraft and will include first class, replacing the B787-8 aircraft currently operated.
Business class on a B787-9 aircraft. Photo: Air IndiaAt the same time, the company is continuing its fleet renewal program, in which 26 older B787-8 aircraft will undergo a full cabin upgrade and repaint in the new brand colors. The first two aircraft are expected to return to service in the coming weeks, and additional aircraft will be upgraded gradually throughout 2026.
The company is also expected to receive three new B787-9 aircraft and two new A350-1000 aircraft in Line-Fit configuration during the year.
Air India 787-9. Photo: AIR INDIA