As with many other airlines, the slow delivery of seats has been the main pacing item for the refit programs, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said during a media briefing during IATA’s 81st Annual General Meeting in Delhi on 2 June. This has been the most problematic supply chain issue for the carrier.

There have been delays at four out of five of the carrier’s seat suppliers, Wilson said. One supplier walked away from a contract “and left us in the lurch,” causing a two-year delay in one retrofit program. Others have been delayed by around one year.

“Things may be getting better, but I don’t want to give anyone any credit because its still very painful,” Wilson said.

Wilson added that the Boeing 787 retrofit programme will begin soon. Work will begin on the first aircraft in July, and the retrofit is expected to be completed and certified in September-October.

Once the first aircraft is completed, the rest of the 787 fleet will be retrofitted at a rate of 2-3 per month. All the work should be completed in 2027.

Air India has begun what it describes as a “heavy refresh” of its 777 fleet, as the full retrofit program of these aircraft has been delayed. Panels, carpets and upholstery will be replaced or repaired, but seats will not be replaced.

The full retrofit of the 777 fleet—including new seats—is set to begin at the end of 2026, Wilson said. This process is expected to continue through the end of 2027.

A retrofit for the airline’s Airbus narrowbodies is also underway. The first 27 aircraft are due to be completed by September or October. Air India has decided to extend the retrofit to another 13 older narrowbodies, which will be addressed after the initial batch is finished.

It will likely be a few more years before the Vistara fleet is repainted in Air India livery and interior colours are changed, Wilson said. He noted that the Vistara aircraft are typically younger, so they will be rebranded after the Air India fleet retrofit and repainting is completed.

Air India is set to receive another 787 in a couple of months, and another A350 early in 2026. Its next widebody deliveries are expected to begin in late 2026. The airline has more than 500 aircraft remaining on order, including 75 widebodies.

While the carrier has leased aircraft to help bridge the gap until new deliveries arrive, Wilson signalled that it is unlikely to bring in more as the lease market is very tight.

Air India is generally looking to extend existing leases rather than return aircraft. However, the carrier is committed to returning five leased 777-200LRs that will be converted to freighters for another customer.

Beginning 1 October 2025, the A350 will join the Sydney schedule on select flights, complementing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner currently serving the route, with both aircraft offering the latest Business Suites. From 31 January 2026, Etihad will fully transition its 10 weekly Sydney services to A350 operations, offering guests a next-generation travel experience, and Melbourne will be served daily by Etihad’s latest 787-9 aircraft featuring Business Suites and increased premium capacity.

Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, said: “We are delighted to bring more premium travel options to Australia with the arrival of our A350 on this important route. When the schedule is fully deployed early next year, we will have grown overall seat availability by ten per cent, and premium seat count by over 20 per cent.

“We have increased our flight frequencies to Sydney this year, offering guests greater flexibility and enhanced connectivity across our expanding global network. This growth provides more seamless travel options to key destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and also welcomes more visitors to our home in Abu Dhabi, where they can enjoy our exclusive stopover programme, featuring one or two-night complimentary stays at a premium hotel.”

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the Airbus A350 is one of the most efficient aircraft types in the world, with 25 per cent less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous models. The aircraft also features Etihad’s newest cabin interior.

Including Economy class seats with a premium configuration at the front of the cabin, the agreement aims to fit cabins with seat types customised for Flynas, with smart cushions designs and the latest technologies, increasing the guests' comfort as Flynas operates the A320neo on flights up to 6 hours, and the new seat is designed especially for long-medium flights.

With delivery set for the end of 2025, each aircraft will have 174 new seats that offer a new standard of comfort, privacy, and convenience. The economy seats will feature a portable electronic devices holder and a power supply system port that includes both USB A and C (60w output), a lower literature pocket, a coat hook, and a cup holder. Additionally, the Premium class seats, spanning 4 rows, will boast a wider pitch, an adjustable headrest, and a middle seat blocker for an optimised living space, ensuring a more enjoyable journey for passengers.

Bander Almohanna, managing director and CEO of Flynas, said: "Through our strategic partnership with Safran, we are poised to reimagine our future cabins with smart design, stylish features, and next-level technologies. These factors were instrumental in selecting seat types, which will be customised for Flynas to offer our guests a unique way of enjoying their flights. This partnership aligns with our expansion strategy, launched in parallel with the National Civil Aviation Strategy, to connect KSA with 250 International destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers, and host 100 million tourists yearly by 2030, and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques.”

“The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways.

“With our new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access, and upgraded Economy, we've taken the luxury experience which we are famed for on our widebody fleet and adapted it to offer guests the same experience in a single-aisle aircraft – all while keeping them seamlessly connected with superfast, streaming Wi-Fi throughout the journey.

“More broadly, the A321LR marks a transformational moment for Etihad as we accelerate toward our Journey 2030 vision: doubling our fleet size, tripling our passenger numbers, and opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.”

The new Business cabin features widebody-style seats, all forward facing with direct aisle access (1-1) in a herringbone layout with 14 fully-flat 78” beds. Each seat includes a 17.3” 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and ample personal storage, ensuring a seamless, connected journey.

PriestmanGoode was selected by Riyadh Air back in 2022 to design the interiors of its inaugural B787-9 fleet.

Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air CEO, said: "Riyadh Air has always promised to deliver a world-class experience for our guests and the unveiling of our cabin interiors make this ambition a reality. The design, layout, and features of our new cabins are carefully crafted to ensure flights are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. From the ergonomic and luxurious fabrics in the seats to the high-end technology used in the entertainment systems, every facet of the cabins has been chosen to deliver relaxing luxury.”

Ben Rowan, director at PriestmanGoode, added: “Unlike existing carriers with decades of brand history to observe, Riyadh Air was starting from a blank slate. This was both an opportunity and a challenge: the freedom to shape something entirely new, but also the responsibility to create a design language that would resonate with passengers and stand the test of time. Adding to the complexity was an ambitious 18-month timeline. This is a standard timeframe for a low-customised cabin, but Riyadh Air required a bespoke cabin design, custom materials, and innovative features. This involved an agile and reactive approach, adapting our process to meet the needs of a new airline while maintaining a commitment to excellence."

The airline is again setting the industry’s benchmark for travel innovation and business class experiences through the design of Qsuite Next Gen that features fully customisable Quad Suites creating the largest social space in the sky for groups of four and window aisle Companion Suites.  All suites have 4K OLED manoeuvrable in-flight entertainment screens that can be moved to connect the spacious and private suites.

From ambient lighting to privacy controls to the ‘Make My Bed’ button for the 5-star Qatar Airways turn-down service; ATM visitors are invited to interact with Qsuite Next Gen’s vast range of customisation options that create an unparalleled experience. Both the Quad and Companion Suites further boast increased dining space and taller digitally controlled privacy dividers, a testament to the airline’s consideration of passenger comfort in the skies.

With this year’s ATM, taking place from 28 April to 1 May, theme, “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”, Qatar Airways will spotlight its continued investment in technology, and customer experience, reinforcing its position as a global aviation leader.

Bucher will supply Ethiopian Airlines with advanced Galleys that optimise space and functionality, thereby enhancing the in-flight experience for passengers and crew efficiency. 

"Collaborating with Bucher to outfit our new 777-9 fleet demonstrates our commitment to passenger comfort and innovation," said Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO. "As a strategically vital airline for our country, we continually seek partners who align with our vision for expansive growth and enhanced service quality."

"We are delighted to partner with Ethiopian Airlines in this significant project," said Beat Burlet, CEO of Bucher. "Our team is committed to delivering bespoke Galleys that meet the expansive needs of this strategically important airline."

The airline won the ‘Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier – Africa’ award at the 2025 PAX Readership Awards and the ‘Cabin Concept of the Year 2025’ award at the Onboard Hospitality Awards.

Ethiopian received the ‘Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier – Africa’ award for the third time, in recognition of its exceptional onboard catering services. It was also named the Bronze Winner of the ‘Cabin Concept of the Year 2025’ award for its A350-1000 cabin innovation, which blends elegant interior design, enhanced passenger comfort, cutting-edge technology, outstanding service delivery, and authentic onboard catering.

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: “We are honoured to be recognised by our industry peers and passengers for the quality of our inflight meal services, and the innovative approach to our new cabin design. These awards are testaments to our commitment to deliver a world-class travel experience inspired by the hospitality culture of Ethiopia and the innovative technologies of the future.”

The delivery of these aircraft is set for mid-2027. Each aircraft will be equipped with 383 passenger seats in economy class showcasing Ethiopian Airlines' commitment to expand its fleet and support it growth trajectory.

The Z400 seats chosen by Ethiopian Airlines represent the ultimate choice for long-range operations, offering passengers an improved inflight entertainment experience with the latest generation 13-inch screens, a notable upgrade from the previous 11.6-inch displays. Furthermore, the seats are 12.5% lighter than the previous generation seats due to fewer components and the use of advanced lightweight materials, ensuring cost efficient operation and sustainability.

Ethiopian Airlines and Safran have cultivated a strong, long-standing partnership over the years, highlighted by the ongoing collaboration to equip their A350 aircraft with business and economy class seatings.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said: “We are pleased to have signed this MoU with Safran for the provision of the Z400 seats for our 777-9 aircraft. As a technology driven airline, we are committed to enhancing our passengers’ onboard experience through state-of-the-art technology that offer passenger comfort while also ensuring operational efficiency and sustainability.”

Victoria Foy, CEO of Safran Seats, added: "We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Ethiopian Airlines by providing our advanced Z400 seats for their B777- 9 fleet. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation and excellence in passenger comfort, supporting Ethiopian Airlines as it expands its horizons and enhances its inflight services."

Each Space Bin can accommodate up to six standard-sized bags per bin by turning a bag on its edge, an increase from four bags per bin compared to a standard bin.

“Since commencing operations in 2009, we have remained dedicated to investing in product innovation and elevating our passengers’ inflight experience. By having Boeing’s larger Space Bins on our 737 MAX aircraft, this will provide our passengers with added convenience and increased storage space that rivals the experience offered on a wide-body aircraft,” said Daniel Kerrison, senior vice president of inflight operations at Flydubai.

“Passengers are making the connection between bin capacity and the extra room they need and expect for their carry-on bags,” said Doug Backhus, vice president of cabin, modifications and maintenance at Boeing. “We are proud to partner with Flydubai to bring Space Bins capability to their existing 737 MAX fleet.”