Air India forges forward in its aviation transformation, unveiling its first-ever flagship Maharaja Lounge in New Delhi alongside the debut of its first purpose-built Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner.
Air India recently marked two major milestones with the opening of its flagship lounge at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and the entry into service of its inaugural made-for-Air India Dreamliner aircraft.
Together, the developments signal a renewed focus on premium experience and long-haul comfort as the national carrier accelerates its transformation journey.
The airline’s first flagship lounge offers a premium experience with dedicated business and first class spaces for up to 300 guests.
Located in Terminal 3, the new lounge reflects the airline’s updated design and branding, blending heritage style and modern luxury with Indian hospitality.
Featured areas in the ‘business’ space include the speakeasy-style The Aviator’s Bar, inspired by the historic Karachi-Bombay flight in 1932; The Globetrotter’s Study, a quiet working or reading nook; and a Serenity Area with recliners.
The First Class lounge area will also offer the Crystal Bar – a luxury cocktail and Champagne lounge, along with tarmac views and sleep suites.
The 1,486sqm space will open to guests in First and Business Class, Gold and Platinum Maharaja Club and eligible Star Alliance Gold members from 16 February 2026.
Air India also plans to roll out more lounges at airports in India and internationally as the airline elevates its customer experience.
Dreamliners with redesigned interiors
Passengers can also look forward to flying on the first made-for-Air India Boeing B787-9 aircraft, which debuted on the Mumbai-Frankfurt flight on 1 February 2026.
The purpose-built Dreamliner features custom-styled interiors, Bluetooth connectivity and charging ports, plus mood lighting inspired by Indian wellness traditions throughout with 30 Business Class, 28 Premium Economy and 238 Economy seats.
The Business Class cabin features a 1-2-1 layout with 79-inch fully flat beds with direct aisle access, 17-inch QLED HDR touchscreens and ample storage.
Premium Economy seats are configured in a 2-3-2 format with 38-inch pitch, recline and adjustable leg and calf rests, while Economy seats also feature enhanced comfort for long-haul flights.
Air India’s completely redesigned cabin interiors will be rolled out across the airline’s entire B787 fleet by mid-2027 with half updated by the end of 2026.
The carrier’s B787-9 is mostly deployed on European and short-haul international routes, while older B787-8 variants primarily service the Sydney and Melbourne routes.
Australia is expected to receive the airline’s new B787-9s as part of the fleet expansion in 2026.
For more info, head to airindia.com
KARRYON UNPACKS: Air India’s flagship Maharaja Lounge and new Dreamliner underline its premium reset, giving travel advisors a stronger long-haul proposition backed by tangible product upgrades and renewed confidence in the airline’s global ambitions.
