Air India Business Class: Which Aircraft Actually Have Lie-Flat Seats?
Same 50,000 Maharaja Club miles could get you a private suite with a door or an old recliner. Here's which Air India aircraft have the good stuff.
Here is something most people do not realize about Air India business class: you could spend 50,000 Maharaja Club miles and end up in a private suite with a closing door... or you could spend the exact same 50,000 miles and get stuck in an old recliner seat from 2007.
Same miles. Wildly different experience.
I have seen this catch people off guard way too often. So let us break down exactly which Air India aircraft have the good stuff, and which ones you should avoid like a middle seat on a red-eye.
The Quick Version
If you are in a hurry, here is what you need to know:
Book these: A350-900, New Air India 787-9, Ex-Delta 777-200LR, Ex-Vistara 787-9, Ex-Vistara A321neo
Avoid these: Legacy 777-300ER, Legacy 787-8 (if you want aisle access), A320neo
Now let us get into the details.
The Best: Private Suites with Doors
A350-900 (1-2-1 Configuration)
This is Air India flagship product, and it is genuinely impressive. Private suites with closing doors, direct aisle access for every passenger, and the newest interiors in the fleet.
Where it flies:
Delhi to New York (JFK, Newark)
Delhi to London Heathrow
Pro tip: Air India occasionally operates the A350 on domestic routes too. The Delhi-Hyderabad route (AI 544 and AI 840) gets the A350 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Lie-flat seats on a 2-hour domestic flight? Yes please.
Ex-Delta 777-200LR (1-2-1 Configuration)
These are the 777s Air India acquired from Delta. They have been refurbished and feature the same 1-2-1 layout with doors. Not quite as new as the A350, but still an excellent product.
Where it flies: Select US routes from Delhi/Mumbai
New Air India 787-9 (1-2-1 Configuration)
This is the first Dreamliner Air India ordered and configured themselves after the Tata takeover. The business class has a 1-2-1 layout with privacy doors on every seat. Same product you will find on Qatar Airways and American Airlines 787s.
Where it flies: Mumbai to Frankfurt (from February 2026)
For the full story on this aircraft, check out our piece on Air India's first made-for-Tata Dreamliner.
Good: Lie-Flat with Aisle Access
Ex-Vistara 787-9
After the Vistara merger, Air India inherited some solid aircraft. The 787-9 has a proper business class product with lie-flat seats and direct aisle access.
Where it flies: Frankfurt, Paris (CDG), Other European destinations
Ex-Vistara A321neo
Narrowbody, but do not let that fool you. These have proper lie-flat seats, which is unusual for an A321. Great for medium-haul routes.
Where it flies: Singapore, Regional routes
Okay: Lie-Flat But Cramped
Legacy 787-8 (2-2-2 Configuration)
Here is where things get tricky. The seats are lie-flat, which is good. But the 2-2-2 layout means window seat passengers do not have direct aisle access. You will have to climb over your neighbor or wait for them to move.
Not ideal for a long flight, especially if you value getting up without disturbing anyone.
Where it flies: Paris (some flights), Hong Kong, Some US routes
Avoid: Recliners Only
Legacy 777-300ER (2-3-2 Configuration)
This is the one that surprises people the most. The 777-300ER sounds fancy - it is a big, long-haul aircraft. But Air India legacy ones have the old 2-3-2 recliner seats.
No lie-flat. No privacy. The middle seats in that 3-abreast center section are particularly rough.
Where it flies: Some London routes, Toronto, Some US routes
Spending 50,000 miles for a recliner seat on a 14-hour flight to North America is painful. Check the aircraft before you book.
A320neo (Domestic Business)
8 recliner seats at the front of a narrowbody. Fine for a short domestic hop, but nothing special.
How to Check Before You Book
Aircraft assignments can change, but here is how to minimize surprises:
1. Google Flights - Search your route and click on the flight details. It usually shows the aircraft type.
2. Air India website - When selecting your seat, the seat map will tell you a lot. 1-2-1 layout? Good. 2-3-2? Run.
3. SeatGuru - Cross-reference the aircraft type to see seat maps and reviews.
4. ExpertFlyer - For the serious folks who want to track equipment changes.
Reality check: Airlines swap aircraft all the time. You could book expecting an A350 and show up to find a 777-300ER. It happens. But checking ahead at least improves your odds.
Bottom Line
Same miles, different experience. That is the reality of Air India business class right now.
Before you hit confirm on that award booking, take 30 seconds to check the aircraft. The difference between a private suite and a 15-year-old recliner is worth those extra clicks.
And if you are building up Maharaja Club points specifically for business class redemptions, keep an eye on routes operated by the A350 or ex-Delta 777-200LR. That is where the real value is.
Coming Soon: Even More Options
Air India has the A350-1000 on the way, which will become their new flagship aircraft. More 787-9s will also join the fleet throughout 2026. We will update this guide as new routes are announced.
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