Air India upgrades Toronto-Delhi route with brand-new Boeing 787-9, restoring daily service

Air India will introduce its brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on flights between Toronto and Delhi beginning Aug. 1, 2026, marking the first time the airline's latest onboard product will be available in Canada.

The aircraft upgrade will also allow Air India to eliminate the technical fuel stop in Vienna on flights from Delhi to Toronto, reducing travel time by nearly three hours.

Subject to available airspace, the Delhi-Toronto flight will now take up to 17 hours instead of approximately 20 hours, while the Toronto-Delhi service will continue to operate non-stop in up to 16 hours.

The carrier will also restore daily service between Toronto and Delhi on Aug. 1 after temporarily reducing the route to five weekly flights between June and July due to elevated fuel costs and geopolitical developments that affected flight operations.

"Canada is home to one of the world's largest and most vibrant Indian diaspora communities, and Toronto has long been one of Air India's most important international gateways,” said Campbell Wilson, CEO and managing director for Air India, in a press release. 

“As we continue transforming Air India into a world-class global airline, we are steadily expanding the availability of our newest aircraft and latest cabin products across key international routes.”

“The introduction of our new Boeing 787-9 on the Toronto-Delhi route marks another important milestone, bringing a significantly enhanced travel experience to customers between India and Canada while extending our most premium offerings across North America,”

New premium experience arrives

The new Boeing 787-9s feature a three-class cabin with Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy.

The Toronto-Delhi route will become the first Air India service to Canada to offer Premium Economy, giving travellers an additional option with more space and enhanced amenities on the ultra-long-haul journey.

The aircraft are configured with 30 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats and 238 Economy seats.

Among the onboard enhancements are:

• Business Class suites with direct aisle access, 79-inch fully flat beds, wireless charging, 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreens and expanded personal storage.
• A dedicated Premium Economy cabin in a 2-3-2 configuration with a 38-inch seat pitch, adjustable headrests and leg rests, and 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR entertainment screens.
• Updated Economy Class seating with ergonomic design, 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreens and integrated holders for personal electronic devices.
• A next-generation inflight entertainment system featuring more than 3,000 hours of content, Bluetooth audio connectivity, USB-A and USB-C charging ports and AC power outlets.
• New cabin mood lighting inspired by Indian wellness traditions.
• Refreshed onboard dining, premium tableware, upgraded bedding and redesigned amenity kits.
• Improved connections across India

The Toronto service also offers one-stop access through Delhi to destinations across Air India's domestic network, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi, among others.

Flights on the new Boeing 787-9 are now available for booking through Air India's website and mobile app, customer contact centre and travel advisors.

Fleet renewal continues

The Toronto deployment forms part of Air India's broader transformation strategy, which includes one of the aviation industry's largest fleet renewal programs.

The airline has placed orders for 600 Airbus and Boeing aircraft while modernizing its existing fleet. It has already taken delivery of three new Boeing 787-9s over the past six months, with additional Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s expected to join the fleet later this year.

Air India is also retrofitting its legacy widebody fleet. Two of its 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft have already returned to service with refreshed interiors, while three more are currently being upgraded in the United States.

By the end of 2026, the airline expects more than half of its widebody fleet to feature new or upgraded interiors as it continues enhancing its long-haul passenger experience.

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