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Upgrade: Air India to Operate New 787-9 with Premium Economy on YYZ-DEL Route

by Bruce Parkinson  July 23, 2026
Upgrade: Air India to Operate New 787-9 with Premium Economy on YYZ-DEL Route

Air India 787-9 in flight.

Air India will significantly upgrade its Toronto services from August 1, deploying its brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on flights between Toronto and Delhi.  

The new aircraft will enable the airline to eliminate the technical fuel stop at Vienna on flights from Delhi to Toronto, reducing flight time by nearly three hours. The Delhi-Toronto sector will now take up to 17 hours, down from about 20 hours currently. 

The Toronto-Delhi service will continue to operate non-stop, with a flight time of up to 16 hours. The removal of the fuel stop is subject to available airspaces.

In addition, Air India will restore its daily Toronto-Delhi service from August 1. The airline had temporarily reduced frequencies to five weekly flights between June and July owing to unprecedented fuel prices and broader geopolitical developments that affected flight operating conditions.

“Canada is home to one of the world’s largest and most vibrant Indian diaspora communities, and Toronto has long been one of Air India’s most important international gateways,” said Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO & Managing Director.

“As we continue transforming Air India into a world-class global airline, we are steadily expanding the availability of our newest aircraft and latest cabin products across key international routes. The introduction of our new Boeing 787-9 on the Toronto-Delhi route marks another important milestone, bringing a significantly enhanced travel experience to customers between India and Canada.”

Business class on an Air India 787-9.

Air India’s Three-Class Flying Experience Comes to Canada

Air India’s brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft feature a modern three-class cabin configuration, offering customers the choice of Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.

For the first time, Air India guests travelling between Toronto and Delhi will have the option of flying Premium Economy, offering more space, comfort, and enhanced service for ultra-long-haul travel.

The new aircraft feature 30 private suites in Business Class, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 Economy seats, blending contemporary design, advanced technology, and Indian-inspired aesthetics.

Premium Economy on an Air India 787-9.

Air India guests travelling to and from Toronto will now enjoy a wide range of enhancements, including:

Luxurious Business Class suites, each offering direct aisle access, 79-inch fully flat bed, wireless charging, generous personal storage and immersive inflight entertainment on a large 17-inch 4K QLED HDR.

A dedicated Premium Economy cabin with wider seats in a 2-3-2 layout, 38-inch pitch providing ample legroom, generous recline, adjustable headrests, adjustable leg and calf rests and a 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen.

Economy Class experience, with ergonomically designed seats, 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and improved comfort and thoughtfully integrated personal electronic device holders.

Next-generation inflight entertainment, featuring a content library of over 3,000 hours, high-definition touchscreens, Bluetooth audio connectivity, USB-A and USB-C charging ports and AC power outlets.

A refreshed onboard experience, including menus showcasing Indian and international flavours, premium chinaware, glassware and tableware, plush bedding and redesigned amenity kits.

Economy seats on an Air India 787-9.

Schedule of flights between Delhi and Toronto (effective August 1, 2026):

Flight #City PairDepartureArrival
AI187Delhi-Toronto0145 Hrs0930 Hrs
AI188Toronto-Delhi1230 Hrs1405 Hrs (+1)

All timings are indicated in local time zones. (+1) denotes next calendar day arrival.

Ongoing Fleet Modernization Efforts

As part of its transformation, Air India is undertaking one of the world’s largest fleet renewal programs, having placed orders for 600 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, while simultaneously modernizing its existing fleet. The airline has inducted three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft over the last six months, with additional Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s scheduled to join the fleet later in 2026.

  
  
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