SEATTLE- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) is set to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which will be the first Boeing widebody aircraft from its 2023 order.
Surprisingly, the airline gave a sneak peek into its Boeing 787-9 livery, showing the potential destinations served by them.
Photo: BoeingAir India First Boeing 787-9
In 2023, Air India placed a historic order for 470 aircraft and recently topped it up with 100 more aircraft. If we look into just Boeing orders, Air India has 220 aircraft on order, which includes 20 787-9 jets and options to order more.
Photo: Air IndiaAccording to data, currently there are three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in production belonging to Air India. The following is the line number of aircraft in production:
| Line Number or Manufacture Serial Number | Variable number |
| 1) MSN 1251 | ZF001 |
| 2) MSN 1301 | ZF002 |
| 3) MSN 1310 | ZF003 |
All these aircraft will be assembled at the final assembly line of Boeing Production factory in Charleston, South Carolina.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAir India has opted for General Electric GEnX-1B engines to power the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
These planes are yet to enter the final assembly line. Currently, MSN 1160 to MSN 1240 are in various phases, some are delivered, many are in flight testing, and few are undergoing final assembly line.
As per unconfirmed reports, Air India is likely to take delivery of the first Boeing 787-9 by the end of this year.
Also Read: When Air India Will Take Delivery of its First Boeing 777X?
Photo: Alaska AirlinesSeattle and Los Angeles with 787-9?
In a sneak peek video shared by Air India on its official X (formerly known as Twitter), the airline revealed two new destinations: Seattle (SEA) and Los Angeles (LAX).
The airline has used Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in a video unveiling two new US destinations.
Planning your trip to the USA just got twice as exciting! Now, seamlessly connect to Seattle and Los Angeles with Air India and Alaska Airlines.
Book now on https://t.co/Fnw0ywg2Zt or the Air India app.#AirIndia #AlaskaAirlines #AIConnections pic.twitter.com/FnSSfZqw6q
— Air India (@airindia) March 9, 2025
The airline has a codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines (AS), which has a hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Alaska Airlines is also planning to launch new long-haul flights to India using the Hawaiian 787-9 Dreamliner from the Seattle Hub.
Also Read: Where does Air India Fly its Boeing 787 Fleet in 2023? | Exclusive
Photo: Los Angeles World AirportLAX Confirmed
Tata Group-owned Air India has obtained the Air Carrier Operating Permit (ACOP) from Los Angeles International Airport, paving the way for direct flights between Delhi and Los Angeles.
The Indian full-service carrier currently operates flights to five major destinations in the United States: Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington Dulles (IAD).
Analysis of Los Angeles International Airport’s January 2025 carrier permit list, shared by Ishrion Aviation on X, reveals Air India received operating permit ACOP-144 effective December 9, 2024. This development indicates the airline’s imminent plans to launch direct service between Delhi and Los Angeles.
The Delhi-Los Angeles route spans 12,896 kilometers and will likely require more than 15 hours of flight time to complete.
The permit’s effective date typically corresponds closely with intended service launches, suggesting Air India planned to begin this route in December 2024.
Photo: EurospotDallas Fort Worth Also Planned
Air India has begun recruiting staff in Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), signaling the airline’s preparation to launch non-stop flights to this Texas hub.
The carrier’s focus on Dallas reflects strategic considerations including the substantial Indian diaspora in Texas and expanding business connections between India and the region.
Dallas/Fort Worth will likely become another key destination in Air India’s ongoing United States expansion strategy, with service potentially beginning in the near future based on the airline’s active recruitment efforts.
Los Angeles has remained a priority market for Air India for some time, driven by strong demand for direct connections between California and India.
Also Read: Riyadh Air Eyes Partnerships with Air India and IndiGo Airlines
Photo: EurospotMy Take
In my POV, Air India is trying its best to expand its operations in a highly rewarding market, i.e, the North American sector. It plans to launch 3-4 new destinations in the US.
However, the main reason that is holding them back is lack of widebody aircraft. Thier hands are tied and they are very much dependent on Airbus and Boeing for new twin-aisle aircraft deliveries, that will help them launch new services.
Both Airbus and Boeing are under tremendous pressure to fulfill thousands of pending orders and they face multiple setbacks due to manufacturing related constraints, supply chain issues, shortage of parts, operational challenges, regulatory scrutiny and more.
Also, the existing widebody fleet, which includes Boeing 777s and 787s, is getting older and passengers are complaining a lot about broken seats, unoperational lavatories, and malfunctioning tray tables, and other small and big issues.
Under Tata management and Wilson Campbell leadership, the Air India is undertaking one of the largest retrofitting programs to refurbish its legacy narrowbody and widebody fleet.
Air India has already started retrofitting narrowbody jets and will soon install new seats and interiors on its twin-aisle aircraft.
Air India is optimistic and is trying to revive the carrier, which is little rusted under the Indian government mismanagement.
The Tata Group-backed carrier, as of now, can launch short and medium haul domestic and international routes as it is taking delivery of new narrowbody aircraft every week or two (this includes Air India Express carrier deliveries, which has recently added 100th aircraft in its fleet)
I see that by 2030 or 2032, the Air India group will likely compete with global carriers. However, there is a long way to go before they can beat Gulf, European, and American carriers.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Air India Partners with Lufthansa on 60 New Codeshare Routes
The post Air India Likely to Fly First Boeing 787-9 to Seattle and Los Angeles | Exclusive appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
![Na "Skalnej" uczennice klas mundurowych szkoliły się z samoobrony z policjantami [ZDJĘCIA]](https://cdn2.nowiny.pl/im/v1/news-900-widen-wm/2025/03/13/238646_1741863631_23625300.webp)