Air India orders 30 extra Boeing 737 MAXs, converts Airbus A321neos into XLRs

Air India has kicked off the first day of Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad with a host of orders from the two largest aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus.

On January 29, 2026, Air India announced that it had signed an order to purchase 30 additional Boeing aircraft, comprising 20 737 MAX 8s and 10 737 MAX 10 jets.

The carrier then later confirmed that it was converting an existing order with Airbus for 15 A321neos to the newer and more advanced A321XLR.

Discussing the Boeing order, Air India said its latest order at Wings India, was in addition to the firm orders for 220 aircraft that the airline placed in 2023, taking the total number of aircraft orders placed with the US firm to 250.

“This additional order for 30 Boeing 737 aircraft is part of our broader fleet strategy to position Air India firmly for the future, as a world-class global carrier that India deserves and the world expects. Building on our 2023 orders and subsequent additions, this order supports steady deliveries and fleet upgrades planned over the next few years,” said Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India.

AviLeaseSo far, Air India has received 52 aircraft from the original 220 ordered in 2023, including 51 737-8s in service with Air India Express, and one brand-new 787-9 that enters commercial service between Mumbai and Frankfurt from February 1, 2026.

“Air India’s order for more 737 MAX jets underscores the strong performance of their existing 737-8 fleet as they continue to expand connectivity across India and the South Asia region,” said Paul Righi, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Eurasia, India and South Asia. “We value Air India’s confidence in the 737-10 and 737-8 to provide the capacity and versatility they need as a cornerstone of their single-aisle growth strategy.”

A321XLR allure too strong for Air India

Air India’s conversion order with Airbus is the first time the carrier has purchased the European manufacture’s latest aircraft.

The conversion is part of Air India’s orders with Airbus in 2023 and 2024, comprising a total of 50 A350s and 300 A320 family aircraft.

Of the 300 single-aisle aircraft, the conversion to A321XLR applies to 15 of 210 A321neo aircraft ordered, while the 90 A320neo remain as originally structured.

We have converted 15 of our existing Airbus A321neo orders to the Airbus A321XLR – strengthening our single-aisle fleet with greater range, efficiency, and flexibility.Announced at Wings India 2026, the A321XLR deliveries are expected between 2029 and 2030, enabling new… pic.twitter.com/NOgmUI3ut6— Air India (@airindia) January 29, 2026 “The strategic conversion of a portion of our single-aisle Airbus aircraft orders to the A321XLR is in line with our effort of positioning Air India for the future. While we transform our current fleet at an accelerated pace with new and retrofitted aircraft, we are also carefully building our future fleet that, with scale and versatility, serves the rapidly evolving needs of travelers from and to India,” added Campbell.

Air India has outstanding deliveries of 344 new aircraft with Airbus. Deliveries of the 15 A321XLR are expected between 2029 and 2030.

“We are pleased to see Air India using the XLR’s efficiency and range to open new opportunities and strengthen India’s connections with the rest of the world,” said Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Sales.

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