Air India 787 Seat Selection Guide (2026)
Air India's Boeing 787 fleet is undergoing the most significant transformation in the airline's history. For the first time since privatisation, passengers can expect a genuinely world-class Business Class product on the Dreamliner — but only if they're on the right version. The 787 fleet currently spans multiple configurations with dramatically different experiences, and the version lottery is as significant as anything in aviation right now.
This guide covers all three variants of the 787-9 and the retrofitted 787-8, explains how to identify which you're on, and gives specific seat recommendations for the new Elevate Ascent Business Class.
The Version Lottery — Why This Matters More Than Almost Any Other Airline
Air India's 787 fleet currently consists of:
- 25 legacy 787-8s on the current cabin plans — 22 at 259 seats, two at 256, one already retrofitted to the 2026 cabin, with the rest progressively converted from February 2026 through mid-2027
- 14 ex-Vistara 787-9s — every Air India 787-9 came from Vistara. Ten still carry the cabin Vistara fitted; four have been through the 2026 refit
- Published fleet figures for the 787-9 do not agree with each other, so treat the ten/four split as the shape of the fleet rather than a headcount on any given day
The difference between the old and new Business Class is not subtle. The old 787-8 Business Class was 18 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration with angled-flat beds and no aisle access for window passengers. The new retrofitted version has 20 suites in a 1-2-1 layout with fully flat beds, privacy doors and direct aisle access for all. This is not a minor refresh — it is a completely different product.
Air India Boeing 787 Cabin Layout Overview
| Version | Configuration | Business | Premium Economy | Economy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 787-8 Old (V1/V2) | 2-class | 18J · 2-2-2 angled | None | 238–241M · 3-3-3 | 256–259 |
| 787-8 Retrofitted (V3) | 3-class | 20J · 1-2-1 suites | 25W · 2-3-2 | 205M · 3-3-3 | 250 |
| 787-9 ex-Vistara (V1) | 3-class | 30J · 1-2-1 staggered | 21W · 2-3-2 | 248M · 3-3-3 | 299 |
| 787-9 2026 cabin (V2) | 3-class | 30J · 1-2-1 suites | 28W · 2-3-2 | 238M · 3-3-3 | 296 |
How to Identify Your Air India 787 Version
Check the Business seat count on your seat map when booking:
| Seats | Layout Visible | What You're Getting |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Business | 2-2-2, no Premium Economy | Old 787-8 — angled flat, window seats trapped, no doors |
| 20 Business | 1-2-1, Premium Economy present | Retrofitted 787-8 — Elevate Ascent suites with doors |
| 30 Business | 1-2-1, 21W or 36W Premium Economy | Ex-Vistara 787-9 — good staggered product, no doors |
| 30 Business | 1-2-1, 28W Premium Economy | 787-9 in the 2026 cabin — Elevate Ascent suites with doors, on a refitted ex-Vistara airframe rather than a new delivery. Tell it from the ex-Vistara cabin by the Premium Economy rows: 15–18 and 28 seats here, 21–23 and 21 seats there |
ℹPriority order: 2026-cabin 787-9 = Retrofitted 787-8 > Ex-Vistara 787-9 >> Old 787-8. Actively avoid the old 787-8 for overnight flights if alternatives exist.
Routes Being Upgraded — Critical for UK and Australian Passengers
- Delhi–London Heathrow: New 787-9 and retrofitted 787-8 from 1 July 2026 (replacing 777-300ER)
- Mumbai–London Heathrow: Retrofitted 787-8 from 1 July 2026
- Bengaluru–London Heathrow: Retrofitted 787-8 from 1 August 2026
- Delhi–Toronto: New 787-9 on 7 of 10 weekly frequencies from 1 August 2026
- Delhi–Tokyo Haneda: 787-9 already operating as of February 2026
- Delhi–Sydney, Delhi–Melbourne: 787s operating on Australia routes
If you have a booking on any LHR-India route for travel after July 2026 and have already selected seats on the 777-300ER layout, your seat numbers will change. Check your booking closer to departure.
Important — Privacy Doors Pending Regulatory Approval on New 787-9s
Air India's new line-fit 787-9s entered service in February 2026 with privacy doors physically fixed in the open position. The Elevate Ascent seat's sliding door requires separate FAA certification for Air India's specific customisation. The airline has confirmed doors are expected to receive approval in the near future. If doors are important to your decision, verify the status at time of booking — this may be resolved by the time you fly.
Best Seats — New Business Class (Elevate Ascent, 787-8 Retrofitted and 787-9 New Line-fit)
Business Class Overview:
- 20 seats (787-8) or 30 seats (787-9) in 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout
- All seats have direct aisle access — no trapped window seats
- 42" pitch, 79" fully flat bed
- 17" 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, Bluetooth audio, wireless charging, USB-A and USB-C
- Privacy doors (see caveat above on 787-9 certification)
- Thales AVANT in-flight entertainment system
- Galley and lavatory at front of Business cabin on most configurations
The reverse herringbone means window and aisle seats alternate in their proximity to the window and aisle by row — the same pattern as Qatar Airways' 787-9, American Airlines' 787-9 and Hawaiian's 787-9, which use the identical seat:
| Row Type | Window Seat (A/K) | Centre Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Elevate Ascent cabins (787-8 retrofit, 787-9 2026 cabin) | No variation at all. Every pod sits the same distance from the fuselage on every row — that is what a reverse herringbone is | No variation either. The centre letters alternate E/F and D/G row to row, but the two seats sit in identical positions; the letters are the only thing that changes |
| Ex-Vistara 787-9 (Stelia Symphony, staggered) | Even rows 2, 4, 6 and 8 are the true window seats, tucked against the fuselage. Odd rows 1, 3, 5 and 7 sit further inboard, closer to the aisle | Odd rows carry a close E/F pair — the couples seats. Even rows carry D and G either side of a wide console, better if you would rather not be shoulder to shoulder |
| Category | Recommended Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best solo window | Any A or K seat — but not 5A or 5K | In an Elevate Ascent cabin every window suite is identical, so pick on position, not row parity. The exception is decisive: 5A and 5K have no window at all on both the retrofitted 787-8 and the 2026 787-9, and neither carries a warning on the booking map. There is no L seat on any Air India 787 — the right-hand window is K |
| Best for couples | Any centre pair on the Elevate Ascent cabins; odd-row E/F pairs (1E/1F, 3E/3F, 7E/7F) on the ex-Vistara 787-9 | On the reverse-herringbone cabins the centre pairs are all the same. On the staggered ex-Vistara cabin they are not: the odd rows put the two centre seats close together and the even rows separate them with a wide console. The retrofitted 787-8 letters its centre pair E and G, not D and G |
| Best mid-cabin | Rows 3 and 4, A or K | Away from the forward galley and lavatories, towards the quieter heart of the cabin. Row 5 is the row to skip: it is the last row of the retrofitted 787-8's Business cabin, and 5A and 5K have no window on either aircraft |
| Avoid front row | Row 1 all seats | Adjacent to forward galley and lavatory — more crew activity, light and noise |
Business Class Seats to Avoid — New Config
| Category | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Last row of Business | Final row all seats | Adjacent to divider between Business and Premium Economy — more foot traffic and light from curtain movement |
| Front row | Row 1 | Forward galley proximity — same issue as most 787 Business Class front rows |
Best Seats — Ex-Vistara 787-9 Business Class
The ex-Vistara 787-9s (V1 and V2) have a different, older staggered 1-2-1 Business product inherited from Vistara. These seats are good — fully flat, direct aisle access, no doors — but not the new Elevate Ascent product. The stagger pattern means odd-row window seats sit closer to the window for maximum privacy, and even-row window seats are closer to the aisle.
| Category | Recommended Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best solo | Odd-row window seats (1A, 3A, 5A, 1K, 3K, 5K) | True window position in the stagger, most privacy from aisle |
| Best for couples | Even-row centre pairs (2D/2G, 4D/4G) | Closest together in the centre section |
| Avoid | Last row of Business | Adjacent to Premium Economy divider |
Best Seats — Old 787-8 Business Class (2-2-2, If Unavoidable)
18 seats across 3 rows in a 2-2-2 layout. Window seats (A and K) have no direct aisle access — you must step over the B or J seatmate. Middle seats (E and F) have no window and no direct aisle access. Beds are angled flat rather than fully flat.
| Category | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Least bad | B, C, H, J aisle seats in rows 1–3 | Only seats with direct aisle access |
| Avoid | Any A, K, E, F seat | No direct aisle access (A/K must step over neighbour; E/F trapped with no window either) |
ℹIf you find yourself booked on the old 787-8, it is worth checking whether a different routing or date offers the retrofitted version — the difference in overnight comfort is significant.
Best Seats — Premium Economy (All Versions with Premium Economy)
Premium Economy Overview:
- 2-3-2 layout across all versions that include it
- 38" pitch, 7" recline, calf and leg rests
- 13.3" 4K QLED screens, USB-A and USB-C charging
- Dedicated lavatory at front of Premium Economy cabin on most configurations
| Category | Recommended Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best legroom | Front row window pairs (bulkhead) | Extra knee room at bulkhead; window pairs are 2-seat with no third passenger |
| Best solo | Any A or L window seat mid-cabin | Two-seat window section, only one neighbour |
| Avoid | Centre block middle seat (any E) | Trapped in 2-3-2 centre with no window and no direct aisle |
Best Seats — Economy Class (All Versions, 3-3-3)
Economy Class Overview:
- 3-3-3 layout throughout — A-B-C / D-E-F / G-H-J
- 31" standard pitch, 17" width
- 11.6" 4K screens on new aircraft; older frames have smaller/older screens
- Exit rows provide extra legroom — check specific seat map for row numbers
| Category | Recommended Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best legroom | Exit row A, C, G, J | Standard extra-legroom exit rows — fixed armrests |
| Front of Economy | First 3–4 Economy rows window | Faster service, quicker deplaning, less foot traffic |
| Couples window | Any A/B or H/J pair | Left or right window sections are 3-seat — A/B or H/J give you the two window seats without a third passenger on the fuselage side |
| Avoid | Any D, E, F middle row seat | Trapped in the 3-seat centre block with no window and no aisle |
Known Quirks and Cabin Notes
| Quirk | Details |
|---|---|
| Version lottery is severe | The difference between old 787-8 (2-2-2 angled flat, no doors) and new retrofitted 787-8 (1-2-1 fully flat, doors) is one of the most dramatic version lotteries in aviation. Always verify seat count when booking — 18 Business means old, 20 Business means new. |
| Privacy doors pending certification | New 787-9 line-fit aircraft launched February 2026 with doors fixed open. FAA certification pending. Check status at time of booking. Retrofitted 787-8 door certification status should be verified separately. |
| Retrofit timeline | All 25 legacy 787-8s will be retrofitted by mid-2027; one is already done. The process started July 2025 with two aircraft at a time. In 2026, routes to London Heathrow and Australia are being prioritised. Specific aircraft assignments change — verify on your booking. |
| Three different Business products on one airline | Air India currently flies Elevate Ascent (787-8 retrofit and new 787-9), older Vistara staggered seats (ex-Vistara 787-9), and the A350's Collins Horizon suites — all simultaneously. Seat map verification before booking is essential. |
| New lounge at Delhi | Air India's new flagship lounge at Delhi (DEL) Terminal 3 opened in early 2026 — relevant for connecting passengers. |
| Wi-Fi | New 787s are equipped with Thales AVANT IFE and onboard Wi-Fi. Legacy 787-8s have inconsistent connectivity. Verify on your specific flight. |
Summary — Best Seats Overall (Air India 787)
| Cabin | Best Seats |
|---|---|
| Business — new (Elevate Ascent) solo | Any A or K window suite except 5A and 5K, which have no window |
| Business — new (Elevate Ascent) couples | Any centre pair on an Elevate Ascent cabin; 1E/1F or 3E/3F on the ex-Vistara 787-9 |
| Business — ex-Vistara solo | Odd-row window: 1A, 3A, 5A, 1K, 3K, 5K |
| Business — old 787-8 (if unavoidable) | B, C, H, J aisle seats only — avoid all window and middle seats |
| Premium Economy | Front-row window pairs for legroom; any A or L mid-cabin for solo |
| Economy | Exit row A/C/G/J; avoid D/E/F centre block |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm on the new or old Air India 787-8?
Check the Business seat count when selecting seats. 18 Business seats with no Premium Economy = old 787-8 with 2-2-2 angled flat product. 20 Business seats with Premium Economy = retrofitted 787-8 with new Elevate Ascent 1-2-1 suites. The seat map layout will also look visibly different — the old version shows a uniform 2-2-2 pattern, the new shows staggered pairs.
Is Air India's new 787 Business Class as good as Qatar's 787-9?
The Elevate Ascent seat is identical hardware — Air India, Qatar Airways, American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines all fly the same Adient/Elevate Ascent product on the 787. The difference is in the soft product. Qatar's service, amenities and catering are more consistently premium. Air India's catering is widely praised as excellent (particularly the Indian food options) and the service is warm, but can be inconsistent. On hard product alone, the seats are equivalent.
Will my LHR-Delhi booking be affected by the fleet change in July 2026?
If you have a booking on the Delhi-London Heathrow or Mumbai-London Heathrow route for travel on or after 1 July 2026, Air India will switch to 787s (from the 777-300ER). Your seat numbers will change. Log into your booking closer to departure to reselect seats once the new seat map is assigned to your flight.
Do the ex-Vistara 787-9s have the new Business Class?
No. The six ex-Vistara 787-9s retain the Vistara staggered Business Class product — good fully flat seats with direct aisle access but no doors and an older design. Only the new line-fit 787-9s (delivered from January 2026) and retrofitted 787-8s have the Elevate Ascent suites.
When will all Air India 787s have the new cabin?
All 25 legacy 787-8s will be retrofitted by mid-2027. New 787-9 deliveries continue through the decade. Air India has said that by end of 2026, approximately 60% of its widebody fleet will have modernised interiors. The retrofit and delivery schedule means significant variation in product will persist through 2027.
Comparable Aircraft
If you're comparing seats on similar aircraft:
Air India 777-300ER Seat Selection Guide (2025) — The other Air India widebody; Tata-refit 1-2-1 suites on some aircraft.
Qatar Airways 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2025) — Same Elevate Ascent hardware on Qatar's 787-9 fleet.
American Airlines 787-9 Seat Selection Guide — Same Elevate Ascent product on American's flagship Dreamliner.