Air India Express Deploys New Boeing 737-8 MAX VT-RNT on Inaugural Muscat Route

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 17, 2026 at 06:30 AM•2 min read

AIRLINES

Air India Express Deploys New Boeing 737-8 MAX VT-RNT on Inaugural Muscat Route

Air India Express launched the first international commercial flight of its new, customized VT-RNT Boeing 737-8 MAX from New Delhi to Muscat, boosting its fleet modernization.

Key Points

1Air India Express launched the first international flight of the custom-configured VT-RNT Boeing 737-8 MAX on January 17, 2026, flying from New Delhi to Muscat.
2The VT-RNT is the 51st Boeing 737-8 inducted under the Tata Group, solidifying the airline's status as India's largest Boeing operator with a fleet exceeding 100 aircraft.
3New line-fit aircraft feature enhanced passenger comfort, including fast-charging power outlets at every seat, larger overhead bins, and onboard ovens for hot 'Gourmair' meals.
4The airline is retrofitting 50 existing Boeing 737-8s to standardize the 189-seat configuration across its fleet, ensuring a consistent passenger experience.

Air India Express has successfully launched the first international commercial flight of its newly inducted VT-RNT Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. The inaugural overseas service departed New Delhi (DEL) for Muscat (MCT) on January 17, 2026. This event marks a major milestone in the carrier's Air India Express fleet modernization program. The aircraft is the 51st Boeing 737-8 inducted since the airline's transition to the Tata group.

Custom Cabin Enhancements

VT-RNT is the airline's first fully customized "Boeing 737-8 line-fit" aircraft. It was configured and designed to specific Air India Express requirements by Boeing. The aircraft was flown directly from the manufacturer's facility in Seattle.

The new cabin design focuses on enhanced passenger comfort. It features ergonomically designed seats with comfortable cushioning. Passengers benefit from generous legroom and a fast-charging power outlet at each seat. Crew members praised the aircraft's spacious design and new features.

Key Passenger Amenities:
- Fast-charging power outlet at every seat.
- Larger overhead bins for cabin baggage.
- Onboard ovens for hot 'Gourmair' meals.
- Quieter cabin with Boeing's Sky Interior mood lighting.

Fleet Expansion and Market Position

This induction strengthens Air India Express's position as India's largest Boeing operator. The airline now operates a combined fleet of over 100 Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. The rapid expansion is a key part of the larger Tata Group aviation strategy.

The airline's fleet growth includes 51 Boeing 737-8s since the Tata acquisition. In 2025 alone, the carrier inducted four A321neos and four A320neos. This highlights the scale and pace of its expansion across India and the Middle East.

Fleet Standardization Initiative

Air India Express is also standardizing its existing fleet. A program has begun to retrofit new seats on 50 older Boeing 737-8 aircraft. This initiative will upgrade them to a standardized 189-seat configuration. Two aircraft have already completed this standardization process.

This standardization ensures consistency in passenger experience across the entire fleet. The airline's new brand campaign, 'Xplore More, Xpress More', reflects this product transformation. Air India Express currently operates over 500 daily flights. These flights connect 45 domestic and 16 international destinations.

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