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Air India began operating the Mumbai (BOM) to Frankfurt (FRA) route on the brand-new 787-9 aircraft in February 2026. I had the opportunity to fly this route in March 2026 as part of my journey from Mumbai to Toronto, booked with Aeroplan points. The new 787-9 was the main reason to choose this flight, ‘to experience the change’ as AI advertises the bespoke service on the new aircraft.
AI 2027 in BOM
At Mumbai Terminal 2, the experience depends heavily on your cabin and status. After a quick check of passport and ticket, I walked in through gate 8 and straight to a dedicated AI check-in desk. The check-in experience was seamless, and I made my way to the dedicated security and passport control for international premium passengers (across from Gate 8). The dedicated lane makes a world of difference and, quite honestly, is the highlight of the ground experience at the airport.
BOM-FRA-JFK-YYZ
Premium passengers departing from BOM have access to the Adani Business Lounge, which I consider upscale and serviceable rather than standout. The lounge is often busy and lacks meaningful privacy, while most of the seating is away from the tarmac. The food is decent too, but can be chaotic most times of the day. The lounge is a quiet place to sit, not a destination-worthy dining experience.
Cabin and Seat
Air India’s 787-9 is a 3-cabin aircraft with 30 business-class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. The aircraft is also equipped with 28 premium economy seats and 238 economy seats. I was seated in 3A in the business-class cabin on AI 2027 from BOM to FRA, with a scheduled flight time of ~9 hours. At first glance, the business-class cabin is a beautiful sight and a far cry from older AI cabins, in all the best ways.
Air India 787-9 Seat Map
Air India 787-9 Business Class Cabin
Seat 3A, on Air India 787-9
The business class seats looked impeccable in their new distinct colours, with direct aisle access for each suite. The seat converts into fully flat beds and includes 4K-resolution screens, storage areas, charging options, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and a more refined design than Air India’s older aircraft. My favourite amenities were the beautiful lamp with soft lighting options, the dedicated wireless charging slot with a secure lock, and the super-large, sturdy tray table. The seat itself was plush and comfortable, and the overall space in the suite felt compact without being restrictive.
Seat lamp, and Wireless Charging
17″ 4k-screen
Side storage
Each suite is also equipped with sliding doors. However, due to pending regulatory approval, the privacy sliding-door feature of the Business Class suites was unavailable to passengers. Other than the small cubby to store headphones and a small side storage for publications, there wasn’t much in the way of storage in the suite. I appreciated the seat controls tucked under the armrest, so I didn’t accidentally push a button. The side table was spacious enough to hold a laptop or phone and other small items during meal service.
AI 787-9 Business Class Suite – Sliding door
A menu, blanket and a large pillow were already at the seat when I boarded. Shortly after getting settled into my space, the crew came by with an amenity kit and pre-flight drink options, including a signature pomegranate drink that was incredibly refreshing and on-brand with its colour. Additionally, I was offered a pyjama set and comfy slippers for the long-haul flight.
Signature Pomegranate Drink
Air India Tray Table and Amenity Kit
Headphones and PJ’s
In the lie-flat configuration, the seat converts into a comfortable bed. However, I was still crammed to the sides, with little elbow room. The lie-flat bed was perfectly fine in the coffin position. While the footwell under the screen narrowed the deeper it went, there was enough height and clearance for my legs as a side sleeper.
AI 787-9 Business Class – restricted elbow room
Footwell Space
Food, Drinks, and Service
Air India has historically done really well with its meal service, particularly for passengers who prefer South Asian flavours. On the daytime westbound flight, the service included a main meal after departure and a lighter service before arrival. The strongest meals are likely to be Indian selections, where Air India can lean into flavour and familiarity. Western options may be more variable, so travellers who care about the onboard meal should consider pre-ordering a special meal where available.
AI 2027 Drinks Menu
Air India Menu
Shortly after take-off, the meal service kicked off with the familiar nuts and drink service, where I opted for the champagne (Charles Heidseik Brut). For my meal, I opted for Mediterranean Tapas as an appetizer, followed by the main course of ‘Murgh Mussalam’. Unsurprisingly, while the tapas was ok, AI hit it home with the Indian main course, which was flavourful and well presented. The Matcha Delice for dessert was incredibly light and paired really well with a black coffee to end the meal service. Speaking of which, I skipped the pre-arrival meal and opted for just a coffee before landing.
Snack and Drink service
Appetizer Course
Main Course – Murgh Mussalam
Dessert – Matcha Delice
Pre-landing drink
I know it’s a sample size of one, but the service was warm and well-intentioned throughout the journey. Finally, it felt like the crew was proud of a product that represented them in the best light. While the new aircraft gives the crew a much better platform, the overall service experience will depend on how smoothly the airline manages its transition from older products to the new standard.
Entertainment and Connectivity
The onboard entertainment system is a major upgrade, with crisp 4K screens. Charging is also strong across the aircraft, with USB Type-A and Type-C ports. Wi-Fi availability, however, was patchy and not strong enough to get any work done, which was a major flaw on this daytime flight. The performance varied significantly, so it is best treated as useful when it works rather than something to rely on for critical work.
Thanks to the unreliable onboard connectivity, I prioritized some shut-eye time on this flight. As a side sleeper, I was happy with the plush seats and managed a solid 4-5 hours of sleep on this 9-hour journey.
Takeaway
Air India’s 787-9 from Mumbai to Frankfurt is one of the airline’s most promising long-haul products. The aircraft finally gives Air India a cabin that can credibly compete with major international carriers on European routes. The hard product is the headline, and my experience signals a much more confident Air India. Choose it for the new aircraft, but keep expectations realistic around consistency during the rollout. As Air India takes on more of this variant, it is expected to roll out the 787-9 from Delhi to Frankfurt, Singapore, and London in the near future as well.
