Air India and IndiGo, two major domestic airlines, have announced their plans for 2026. Air India, which is owned by the Tata Group, has stated that their first two Boeing 787-8 planes from their legacy fleet will be back in service in February after undergoing a full interior-refit. IndiGo, on the other hand, has revealed that they will be inducting their first Airbus A321XLR in 2026.

Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Aggarwal, shared in a letter to the airline’s loyalty program members that the full interior refit of their widebody fleet, including new seats and entertainment systems, will be completed by the end of 2026. This includes their 777 fleet, which will also begin undergoing a refit. By the end of 2026, over 65% of Air India’s widebody fleet and 50% of their international flights will feature modern and top-of-the-line cabins. Aggarwal also mentioned that a new flagship international lounge will be opened at Delhi Airport in early 2026, followed by a new lounge at San Francisco International Airport. The airline also has plans to upgrade their New York JFK lounge and open a new domestic lounge at Delhi Airport.

IndiGo, on the other hand, faced operational challenges this year, causing disruptions and inconveniences for their passengers. However, the airline has apologized for the inconvenience and has focused on restoring their network and operations to normal. They have also stated their commitment to strengthening their operational processes and resilience.

In 2025, IndiGo expects to carry over 123 million passengers, a significant increase from the 113 million passengers they carried in 2024. They also plan to induct India’s first Airbus A321XLR, launch non-stop services to Athens, and continue expanding their international network while also increasing their domestic network.

Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, stated that as they enter the New Year, they will reflect on their progress and learn from their operational challenges. Both Air India and IndiGo have promised to provide reliable and trusted services to their customers.