The Tatas plan to invest $400 million (Rs 3,295 crore) in Air India to refurbish the cabin interiors of all its existing wide-body aircraft, comprising 27 Boeing B787-8s and 13 Boeing-777s.

The refurbishment will involve the introduction of a premium economy cabin, the airline said in a statement. The first aircraft with refurbished interiors will fly in mid-2024.

Air India said it will carry out a complete overhaul of existing cabin interiors, including the addition of latest generation seats and best-in-class inflight entertainment across all classes.

The company has hired London-based product design companies JPA Design and Trendworks to assist with designing the interiors of the cabin, the airline said in a statement. The collaboration brings together two experts in the fields of aviation and interiors that have produced designs for major brands including Taj Hotels, The Orient Express and Herman Miller International.

“We are working closely with partners to accelerate the refit process as fast as possible and, in the meantime, leasing in at least 11 new widebody aircraft with brand new interiors to improve our offering at the earliest opportunity,” Air India managing director and chief executive officer Campbell Wilson said.

After announcing it will lease 30 planes, including five Boeing 777s in September, the airline earlier this week disclosed its plans to add on lease six more Boeing 777s in its fleet.

With this significant investment, Air India is committed to providing its passengers with a comfortable, modern, and technologically advanced cabin to facilitate travel experience that is comparable with the best airlines in the world, it said.

“The complete interior refurbishment entails significant regulatory and engineering preparation, which commenced earlier this year. This lengthy but necessary process, and the time required to manufacture seats, is expected to lead to the first aircraft entering service in mid-2024,” it said.

Once known for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service, state-owned Air India was swept into a downward spiral because of mounting debt and ballooning losses. The carrier drew flak for poor maintenance and delays as it struggled to pay staff and suppliers on time.

Facelift

■ Tatas to invest Rs 3,295cr in refurbishing cabins

■ Changes in existing wide-body Boeings comprising 27 Boeings 787-8s and 13 B777s

■ Boeings will have premium economy cabins