DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has selected Panasonic Technical Services’ (PTS) Total Care Package to maintain in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems across 74 aircraft in its fleet.
The deal covers IFE systems installed on Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A350-900, and Airbus A321neo aircraft, including both the Astrova and X Series linefit and retrofit programs.
Separately, Air India (AI) has welcomed its first retrofitted Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registered VT-ANT) at Delhi (DEL) after a nose-to-tail cabin refresh at Boeing’s Modification Center in Victorville, California.
The aircraft is the first of 26 Boeing 787s set for comprehensive interior upgrades as part of the airline’s USD 400 million widebody fleet renewal program.
Panasonic Expands Support for Air India’s Fleet
Under the agreement, Panasonic Technical Services (PTS) will deliver end-to-end maintenance and support for Air India’s (AI) Panasonic-powered IFE systems. The scope includes both the Astrova and X Series platforms across linefit and retrofit configurations.
Air India (AI) selected the Total Care Package as a core part of its fleet modernization strategy. The package aims to optimize IFE system performance, reduce operational downtime, and maintain predictable maintenance costs across the airline’s widebody and narrowbody fleet.
To strengthen support for Air India’s (AI) current and future aircraft, Panasonic Avionics is making long-term operational investments in India.
The company will open two new line maintenance stations in Mumbai (BOM) and New Delhi (DEL). These stations will enable fleet-monitoring insights to translate directly into real-time on-aircraft maintenance actions.
Air India’s (AI) IFE systems will receive full lifecycle support under the deal. This includes proactive monitoring, spares management, global field engineering, and round-the-clock technical assistance.
The arrangement helps the airline minimize disruptions, maximize aircraft availability, and maintain a consistent passenger experience.
Tom Eskola, Vice President of Panasonic Technical Services at Panasonic Avionics, stated that Air India’s decision to commit to the Total Care Package underscores the airline’s focus on innovation and operational excellence as it pursues its fleet renewal program.
Jeremy Yew, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance at Air India, noted that Panasonic’s decision to establish new line maintenance stations in Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) strengthens the airline’s ability to minimize IFE-related disruptions and maximize aircraft availability.
First Retrofitted Boeing 787-8 Lands in Delhi
Air India (AI) welcomed its first retrofitted Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registered VT-ANT) at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi (DEL) on 13 April 2026.
The aircraft completed a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino, California, flying over the Pacific and landing at 2244 hours.
The Dreamliner received comprehensive interior upgrades at Boeing’s Modification Center in Victorville, California. After the cabin work was completed, the aircraft moved to AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified paint facility in San Bernardino, where it received Air India’s new livery.
This marks the successful completion of a nose-to-tail cabin refresh for the first of 26 Boeing 787 aircraft in the airline’s fleet. The retrofitted 787-8 now features a modern three-class configuration with Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.
The legacy 787-8 fleet previously operated with 18 Business Class seats and 256 Economy seats without a Premium Economy option.
What the Retrofit Includes
The cabin overhaul introduces new Business Class suites with privacy doors and fully flat beds arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.
The aircraft also features upgraded IFE systems, improved onboard Wi-Fi, new lighting, refreshed galleys and lavatories, updated carpeting, and interior finishes aligned with Air India’s refreshed brand identity.
The new interiors match the standard set by Air India’s factory-fresh Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft entering the fleet simultaneously. This ensures passengers experience a consistent product across the airline’s long-haul network.
Route Deployment and Fleet Renewal Timeline
Air India (AI) plans to deploy the retrofitted 787-8 on the Delhi (DEL) to London Heathrow (LHR) route starting 1 May 2026.
The airline currently operates 24 weekly flights on this route using a mix of Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
The retrofitted Dreamliners will also serve long-haul destinations across the UK, Europe, the United States, and the Far East. The remaining 25 Boeing 787 aircraft will undergo the same comprehensive upgrades in the coming months.
Air India targets completion of all 787-8 retrofits by mid-2027, followed by its 13 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft between early 2027 and October 2028.
Panasonic Avionics and Air India’s Growing Partnership
The Total Care Package agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two companies.
In April 2025, Air India (AI) selected Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova IFE solution for 34 new widebody aircraft on order, covering six Airbus A350-1000s, 14 Airbus A350-900s, and 14 Boeing 787-9s. That deal marked the first deployment of Panasonic’s Astrova system in India.
The Astrova platform features 4K OLED HDR10+ displays, Spatial Audio with Bluetooth connectivity, 67W USB-C charging at every seat, and LED cabin lighting. Panasonic Avionics, headquartered in Irvine, California, operates in 50 locations globally with over 3,500 employees.
The company has served over 200 airlines worldwide since pioneering the IFE industry in 1979.
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