Air India marked two significant milestones today as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen international connectivity and enhance the passenger experience. The airline’s first made-for-Air India Boeing 787-9 entered commercial operations on the Mumbai-Frankfurt route, while non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai resumed after a gap of nearly six years.

The Delhi-Shanghai service was relaunched with flight AI352, which departed Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1207 hrs IST, reconnecting the Indian capital with one of Asia’s leading business and cultural hubs. Operated four times a week using a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, the service restores Air India’s direct access to mainland China and caters to rising demand from business travellers, families, and tourists.

At the same time, Air India’s newly inducted Boeing 787-9, registered as VT-AWA, operated flight AI2027 and departed Mumbai at 1237 hrs IST for Frankfurt. This flight marked the first commercial deployment of Air India’s completely redesigned cabin interiors, which were unveiled on 27 January 2026 and are set to be rolled out across the airline’s entire Boeing 787 fleet.

The new Boeing 787-9 features 30 Business Class suites arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, offering direct aisle access, fully flat beds extending up to 79 inches with a 42-inch pitch, wireless charging, 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreens, and ample storage space. The Premium Economy cabin offers 28 wide seats in a 2-3-2 layout, with a 38-inch pitch, enhanced recline, adjustable calf and leg rests, and 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreens.

Economy Class includes 238 ergonomic seats designed for long-haul comfort, each equipped with 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreens. Across all three cabins, passengers can enjoy Thales AVANT Up in-flight entertainment, Type A and C charging ports, Bluetooth headphone connectivity, and new mood lighting inspired by ancient Indian wellness traditions, along with bespoke design elements.

With these developments, Air India continues to strengthen its long-haul operations while offering improved comfort and connectivity across key global markets.

Schedule of Flights Between Delhi (DEL) and Shanghai (PVG)
AI352 – Delhi-Shanghai: 1200 Hrs – 2020 Hrs
AI351 – Shanghai-Delhi: 2200 Hrs – 0315 Hrs +1

Schedule of Flights Between Mumbai (BOM) and Frankfurt (FRA)
AI2027 – Mumbai-Frankfurt: 1235 Hrs – 1730 Hrs
AI2028 – Frankfurt-Mumbai: 2020 Hrs – 0900 Hrs +1

All timings are in local time zones. +1 indicates next day arrival. Air India’s flights on both routes are available for booking across all channels, including the airline’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, contact centres, and authorised travel agents worldwide.