Air India Introduced New Jets on Toronto-Delhi Route
The airline deployed the Boeing 787-9 aircraft to serve the Canadian market beginning in early August 2026.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Air Travel
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Air India began utilizing the Boeing 787-9 aircraft for its 10 weekly flights between Toronto and Delhi in early August 2026. This move is part of a broader effort to modernize its fleet and capture a larger share of the North American aviation market.
Why it matters
The upgrade reflects the airline's strategy to expand its North American market presence beyond its current 30 percent share. By introducing more advanced aircraft, the carrier aims to enhance passenger capacity and service quality on key international corridors.
The Boeing 787-9 provides a total capacity of 296 seats, configured with 30 business class, 28 premium economy, and 238 economy spots. These flights operate out of Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
The players
Air India
This is the flag carrier airline of India that is currently undergoing a significant fleet modernization and route expansion effort.
Air Canada
This is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada that competes on direct routes between Canada and India.
The details
Air India currently operates direct flights to India from Canada alongside Air Canada. The airline has also initiated a $400 million refit program for 66 legacy aircraft, with the refurbishment of 27 narrowbody Airbus A320neo jets already finished.
Timeline
Air India began taking delivery of new aircraft in the second half of 2023.
The $400 million refit program for legacy aircraft commenced in September 2024.
The Boeing 787-9 was introduced on the Toronto-Delhi route in August 2026.
All 17 Delhi route flights are expected to switch to the new aircraft by the end of 2026.
Vancouver-Delhi and Toronto-Mumbai routes will transition to the new aircraft by February 2027.
Travel Outlook
The introduction of newer aircraft on the Toronto-Delhi route aligns with a broader trend of upgrading long-haul international service quality to remain competitive. This transition follows the airline's major order of 600 new Airbus and Boeing jets, signaling a long-term shift toward a fully modernized fleet.
Passengers traveling from Toronto to Delhi can now access the new Boeing 787-9 cabin configurations, which include dedicated premium economy seating. Additionally, travelers using the Easy Connect facilities can clear immigration and check bags in Amritsar to simplify their long-haul experience.
The takeaway
The deployment of the 787-9 aircraft signals a significant improvement in cabin comfort and capacity for travelers on Canadian-Indian routes. Passengers should check their specific booking details to confirm if their flight has transitioned to the updated aircraft configuration.
What happens next
The airline plans to transition all 17 existing Delhi route flights to the Boeing 787-9 by the end of 2026, followed by shifts for Vancouver-Delhi and Toronto-Mumbai routes in February 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Air Travel.
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