Air India marked a significant milestone in its transformation journey with the arrival of its first Airbus A320neo adorned in a new livery. The aircraft, registered as VT-RTN, touched down at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on July 7 after completing its journey from the Airbus manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France.

This new addition to Air India’s fleet signifies a strategic move towards modernization and enhanced passenger experience. The A320neo will feature a three-class configuration, a first for Air India's narrowbody aircraft. It includes 8 luxurious Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats offering additional legroom, and 132 comfortable Economy Class seats. Notably, the introduction of Premium Economy cabins on narrowbody planes is a first for the airline.

Scheduled to commence operations in August 2024, the A320neo will serve domestic short-haul routes, bolstering Air India’s domestic network capacity.

Currently, three A320neo aircraft with the previous Air India livery are already operational within the domestic sector.

Looking ahead, Air India plans to further elevate the passenger experience by rolling out new, upgraded, and refurbished aircraft – in both the narrowbody and widebody fleet, starting early next year. This initiative underscores the airline’s commitment to enhancing comfort, efficiency, and service quality for its customers.