The major modernization of Air India presses on, revolutionizing everything from branding and uniforms to the entirety of its long-haul fleet. After years of lagging behind global competitors, the airline has finally begun rolling out significant cabin improvements, among the biggest steps forward is a redesigned business class on Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

Travelers can expect a dramatically different on-board experience as the first refurbished Dreamliner takes to the skies in early 2026.

Below is a deep-dive look into what Air India is changing, why the airline chose a different seat than previously announced, and how passengers will benefit from these upgrades.

A New Era for Air India's Dreamliners

Following privatization and takeover by the Tata Group, Air India embarked on a multi-year transformation plan that includes more than 400 new aircraft on order, a new brand identity, and an all-new travel experience.

Perhaps the most visible is the new business class being introduced by Air India, on the Boeing 787-8-a type that forms the backbone of its long-haul operations. The carrier has been quietly retrofitting the first of these jets, and the initial cabin images confirm a major leap in comfort and design.

The Seat Chosen for the 787 Fleet

Air India has selected the Adient Ascent seat for its Boeing 787-8s, a premium, highly configurable business class suite developed as part of an agreement between Adient Aerospace and Boeing. It places Air India in the same league as many of the world's best airlines that fly the same seat on their newest Dreamliners. These include.

• Qatar Airways
• Hawaiian Airlines
• American Airlines
• Soon, United Airlines

These seats have been designed for the contours and configuration of the Boeing 787, making maximum use of space while being comfortable.

What Passengers Can Expect Onboard

Probably the most important upgrade comes with a change from Air India's older 2-2-2 layout to the more contemporary 1-2-1 configuration. No more climbing over another passenger to get up to the aisle - every traveler will now have direct aisle access.

Key Features of the Adient Ascent Business Class Suite

Although Air India has not revealed a full showcase, the seat type is well known and typically includes.

• Fully enclosed privacy doors

Upstairs, passengers can slide a door shut to create their own private suite-a huge departure from the older, open-style cabin formerly characteristic of Air India.

• Reverse-herringbone configuration

The seats angle away from the aisle for a more private and spacious feel.

• Fully flat beds

The quality of sleep should improve dramatically compared to the older angled-flat seats.

• Large entertainment screens

The airline is installing upgraded in-flight entertainment across the 787-8 fleet.

• Built-in Wi-Fi

Renewed Dreamliners will finally get high-speed Wi-Fi installed on board-a thing the existing fleet has lacked for years.

According to reports, Air India is fitting 20 business class seats across five rows; these will occupy the whole zone between doors 1 and 2 on the aircraft.

Why This Is Not Air India's "Flagship" Business Class

While the new Boeing 787 business class is a big improvement, it needs to be viewed in context - this is not the flagship Air India seat the airline has been marketing since 2023.

But the big, eagerly-anticipated flagship product is actually the Safran Unity suite, an award-winning next-generation business class seat that made its debut on Japan Airlines A350s and is widely considered one of the best business class seats in the world.

Air India plans to equip Safran Unity on

• Fully refurbished Boeing 777s
• Newly delivered Airbus A350s
• Potentially future Boeing 787-9s

The difference between these two products begs an obvious question.

Why didn't Air India deploy the same seat type in all long haul aircraft?

Air India had initially planned to use the Safran Unity seat across its wide-body fleet, but as the aviation industry is still confronted with.

• Bottlenecks in the supply chain
• Manufacturing delays
• Long installation timelines for customized seating

Not wanting to further delay the 787-8 refurbishment program, the airline chose the Adient Ascent seat because of its availability, proven track record on the 787 platform, and speed of certification and installation.

Practicality and speed were therefore the reasons, not the abandoning of the flagship product vision.

The long-term plan apparently is

• Adient Ascent for the Boeing 787-8
• Safran Unity for new aircraft and 777 retrofits

How this upgrade fits into Air India's larger transformation

The reworked Air India Dreamliner business class is part of a much larger, years-long effort to rebuild the airline from the ground up. Highlights include.

• A full cabin refresh across the long-haul fleet

Including the expansion of premium economy and refurbished economy cabins.

• New aircraft deliveries

Air India has ordered Airbus A350s, Boeing 777s, and next-generation 787-9s.

• Major service enhancements

Better catering, improved amenities, and enhanced soft-product training for crew members.

• A unified premium experience

The rollout of consistent branding and inflight design across all longhaul aircraft.

These refurbishments of the 787-8s are expected to be done sooner than the project on the 777, so many passengers will experience this new seat earlier.

When Will Travelers Experience the New Business Class?

Service entry of the first refurbished Boeing 787-8 is scheduled for February 2026. More routes will receive the new cabin as more aircraft are refurbished.

Although Air India has not announced their initial destinations yet, the Dreamliner normally operates long-haul routes, including

• Europe: London, Frankfurt, Paris
• Southeast Asia
• Australia
• Middle East

Expect Air India to proudly show off the refreshed 787-8 when the first aircraft takes to the skies.

Why This Upgrade Matters for Travelers

For far too long, business class passengers flying on Air India have hoped for a product that matches global standards. The current 787-8 cabin is aging, inconsistent, and lacking in privacy, with many regarding it as a soft spot in Air India's network.

With the introduction of Adient Ascent suites, passengers will finally enjoy

• A competitive business-class seat
• Private door suites akin to what's on top airlines.
• Better inflight entertainment
• Modern amenities and Wi-Fi
• More consistency in longhaul product

For an airline wanting to position itself as a strong global player, this upgrade has been overdue.

Final Thoughts

A Promising Step Toward a New Air India The newly designed business class for the Boeing 787-8 is another important milestone on Air India's long journey toward modernization. This product is not the flagship Safran Unity suite planned for its A350s and retrofitted 777s, but the Adient Ascent seat remains a major upgrade that gets Air India far closer to international standards.

Beginning early 2026, the airline's Dreamliners will feel decidedly more premium with direct aisle access, privacy doors, better technology, and new cabin styling. A glimpse of what Air India aspires to be, a first-class, modern international carrier at par with the best international airlines.