DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) will begin operating its first custom-built Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with limited features while awaiting regulatory approvals. The aircraft enters service on the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) route from February 1, 2026.
The new widebody marks a milestone for the Tata Group-owned carrier, but some business and economy class elements remain restricted until clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Air India 787 Blocked Seat
The Boeing 787-9 is the first Dreamliner specifically built for Air India after the Tata Group takeover in January 2022.
While the aircraft is fully delivered and airworthy, certain cabin features are operating under temporary constraints linked to certification timelines.
Air India confirmed that the aircraft will fly commercially from February 1, with limitations clearly defined and communicated to passengers. These restrictions apply only to this specific 787-9 and not to other Dreamliners in the fleet.
Business Class Privacy Doors Await Approval
The business class cabin features sliding privacy doors that are currently locked in the open position. According to Air India, this is due to pending FAA approval for the specific seat feature rather than the seat itself.
All other business class seat functions remain available for passenger use. The airline expects regulatory clearance in the near future, after which the privacy doors will be activated.
Eighteen Economy Seats Blocked From Use
Out of the aircraft’s total 296 seats, 18 economy class seats are not available for sale or use. These seats are physically blocked until certification is completed.
Air India clarified that the RECARO 3710 seat model is already certified and used by multiple airlines globally. However, a regulatory interpretation affecting these 18 specific seats is under review in coordination with the manufacturer and the regulator.
Certification Status and Regulatory Response
The FAA has not provided a timeline for the pending approvals and declined to comment on ongoing certification work. Boeing also did not state the matter.
Air India emphasized that these limitations are isolated to the new Boeing 787-9 variant. The retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft in the fleet have completed all required certifications and offer full seat functionality.
Fleet Expansion and Current Dreamliner Count
Air India currently operates 33 Boeing 787 aircraft, including 26 legacy 787-8s and seven 787-9s. Six of the 787-9s were inducted from Vistara, along with the newly delivered aircraft.
Looking ahead, the airline plans to induct five additional widebody aircraft in 2026, including three Boeing 787-9s and two Airbus A350-1000s. The existing 787-8 fleet continues to undergo phased retrofitting.
Global Context on Seat Certifications
Industry sources noted that Air India is not alone in facing seat certification delays. Lufthansa is also awaiting regulatory clearance for certain business class seats on its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
These delays reflect broader regulatory scrutiny around new cabin designs, particularly for premium seating products.
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