Air India adds First Class and nearly 60 seats on upgraded Delhi-Melbourne flights

Air India has upgraded its Delhi-Melbourne service with the deployment of its refurbished Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from July 1, replacing the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner previously operating the route. The move increases passenger capacity, introduces First Class for the first time on the non-stop service and brings upgraded cabins and onboard amenities to one of the airline's key international routes.

According to Air India, the aircraft upgrade forms part of its ongoing fleet modernisation programme under the Tata Group, aimed at strengthening its long-haul network and improving the overall customer experience across international services.

Capacity rises with larger aircraft

The refurbished Boeing 777-300ER offers significantly higher capacity than the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner it replaces.

The new aircraft is configured with:

• Eight First Class suites
• 40 fully flat Business Class seats
• 280 Economy Class seats

By comparison, the Boeing 787-8 operating the route previously featured:

• 28 Business Class seats
• 241 Economy Class seats

The aircraft upgrade adds nearly 60 seats to every flight while substantially increasing premium cabin capacity.

The airline expects the larger aircraft to support rising passenger demand on the India-Australia sector, particularly during peak travel periods.

First Class debuts on the route

A key change is the introduction of First Class, marking the first time the cabin has been available on Air India's non-stop Delhi-Melbourne service.

According to the airline, the First Class cabin features private suites with leather-upholstered seats that convert into fully flat beds. Passengers will also receive personalised onboard service, premium dining and dedicated ground services.

The addition strengthens Air India's premium offering on a route serving business travellers, leisure passengers and members of the Indian diaspora travelling between India and Australia.

Premium cabins and digital services receive an upgrade

Beyond First Class, the airline has enhanced its Business Class product with upgraded fully flat seats designed for long-haul travel.

Passengers travelling in premium cabins can also expect refreshed onboard dining and upgraded soft services as part of the aircraft refurbishment programme.

Another addition is onboard Wi-Fi, available for the first time on the Delhi-Melbourne route. Air India said the service will allow passengers to remain connected throughout the journey, reflecting growing demand for in-flight connectivity on international flights.

The airline has also expanded its inflight entertainment library and refreshed food and beverage offerings across cabins.

Airport experience also enhanced

The upgraded experience begins before departure for eligible premium travellers.

Passengers departing from Delhi will have access to Air India's Maharaja Lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport, which offers dining facilities, workspaces, lounge seating and hospitality services before boarding.

The lounge complements the upgraded onboard product as the airline continues to improve the end-to-end travel experience on international routes.

Supporting network growth between India and Australia

Air India currently operates four non-stop flights each week between Delhi and Melbourne.

The airline has announced plans to increase the service to daily flights from September 1, 2026, reflecting growing demand for direct connectivity between India and Australia.

The route serves a mix of business travellers, students, tourists and visiting friends and relatives travelling between the two countries.

Beyond Melbourne, the service also strengthens Air India's international network by providing onward connections through Delhi to European destinations, including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Milan and Zurich.

Fleet modernisation continues

The Melbourne deployment represents another step in Air India's ongoing transformation programme following its acquisition by the Tata Group.

Over the past two years, the airline has introduced upgraded lounges, refreshed onboard products, expanded digital services, modernised catering and accelerated fleet refurbishment across its international operations.

With the refurbished Boeing 777-300ER now serving Melbourne and daily operations scheduled to begin later this year, Air India continues to expand premium capacity while strengthening its position in the India-Australia long-haul market.