Air India DEL–LHR 787-9 seat map: the family guide to bulkhead rows, bassinets and floor power (2026)
By Ishaani Reddy (Ishaani Reddy writes about the consumer-protection side of travel — DGCA passenger rights, OTA refund policies, hidden fees, dynamic-currency-conversion traps and the seven kinds of booking mistakes that quietly drain Indian travel budgets.) · Published · 12 min read
Air India's retrofitted 787-9 on the Delhi–London Heathrow route has a specific economy cabin layout that families need to know before they pick seats. Bulkhead rows have the bassinets but the fixed armrests. Floor-level power points are not everywhere. And some rows that look free at booking carry a paid upsell tag. Here is the actual breakdown.
TL;DR — which rows should families request on Air India DEL–LHR?
Families with lap infants should request bulkhead seats in the economy cabin's first row — typically around row 34 on Air India's retrofitted 787-9 — where the bassinet attachments are fitted to the bulkhead wall. These are free to request at booking for passengers with a confirmed infant. Families with toddlers who need floor power for tablets or gadgets should note that the 787 has universal AC power outlets under most economy seats, but the in-seat USB charging points vary — confirm with Air India's seat map tool on their site. Some premium economy-adjacent rows carry a paid upcharge in economy. Exact row numbers can shift if Air India operates an alternate 787-8 or swaps aircraft — always verify on the seat map at airindia.com after booking.
Air India's 787-9 on DEL–LHR: which configuration should I expect?
Air India operates the Delhi–London Heathrow (DEL–LHR) route with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The 787-9 has been Air India's workhorse on long-haul international since before the Tata group takeover, and many of the aircraft operating this route have gone through varying degrees of cabin refresh under the new management.
The retrofitted 787-9 in Air India's current operation typically has three cabin classes: Business Class (in a forward cabin), Premium Economy (a small mid-cabin section), and Economy (the main rear cabin). Economy on the 787-9 is usually configured in a 3-3-3 layout across the fuselage width — three seats, an aisle, three seats, an aisle, three seats.
Important caveat: Air India occasionally operates different 787 variants (787-8 vs 787-9) or even a 777-300ER on this route depending on schedule and maintenance. The cabin layout and exact row numbers differ between these aircraft types. Always check the seat map on airindia.com after you have booked, using your specific PNR, to confirm the aircraft type and row numbering for your flight. What I describe here is representative of the retrofitted 787-9 configuration as commonly operated on this sector as of 2026.
Bulkhead and bassinet rows: what families with infants need to know
The bulkhead row in economy is where the cabin forward partition is — typically the first row of the economy section, often around row 33–35 on the 787-9 depending on configuration. Air India fits bassinet cradles to the bulkhead wall at these rows. This is where you want to be if you have a lap infant.
Bassinet logistics on Air India:
- Bassinets are available on a first-come, first-served request basis — you cannot 'book' a bassinet online; you request it via Air India's customer service (call centre or email) after booking, or ask at check-in. The earlier you request, the better your chances on a full DEL–LHR flight, which routinely departs near full capacity.
- Bassinet weight limits vary by airline, but on Air India's 787 configuration the limit is typically up to around 10–12 kg and 70–75 cm in length — check Air India's current infant policy at airindia.com as these specs are occasionally updated.
- Bulkhead seats have fixed armrests. This is not a minor detail: the tray table folds out of the armrest, which means you cannot raise the armrest to create a wider surface for a sleeping toddler. On a 9-hour DEL–LHR flight, this matters. The extra legroom of the bulkhead row partially compensates, but the fixed armrest is a real trade-off.
Families with older children who do not need a bassinet might actually prefer a non-bulkhead row where the armrests are moveable — letting a small child lay across an adult lap during the overnight sector is easier with a raised armrest.
Floor power and in-seat USB: which rows have what?
The 787's electrical architecture is one of its advantages over older wide-bodies. Air India's economy cabin on the retrofitted 787-9 typically has both an AC power outlet (universal three-pin, suitable for Indian and UK plugs) and a USB-A charging port at each seat or shared between adjacent seats, depending on the seat unit installed.
Practical points for families with toddlers and their armies of tablets, noise-cancelling headphones and portable chargers:
- Universal AC outlets: These are generally available at every seat or every two seats in the economy rows of Air India's retrofitted 787-9. They accommodate a standard Indian plug (Type D) directly — you may not need an adapter for a UK-bought charger on the DEL-LHR sector.
- USB ports: USB-A is standard. USB-C ports are less common on older seat units. A USB-C to USB-A adapter is worth packing.
- Outlet location: In the 787's typical economy seat unit, the AC outlet is at the base of the seat in front of you, near the floor. This means it is accessible and you can keep a tablet charging while the child uses it, but the cable needs to reach from the floor to the tray table height. A short (50cm) cable works well here.
- Reliability: Outlet availability on a specific aircraft can depend on whether the power system is functional — aging seat electronics occasionally fail on individual seats. If yours is not working, ask a cabin crew member to note it; it does not always mean the whole cabin is out.
Air India's in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens on the 787-9 in economy are decent-sized and include a reasonable children's content library. Noise-cancelling headphones are more useful than Air India's provided earbuds for young children on a 9-hour flight — the standard earbuds fit poorly on smaller ears.
Which economy rows carry a paid upgrade fee?
Air India has a tiered seat selection structure in economy on international long-haul routes. As of 2026, the rough tiers are:
- Standard economy seats (free for most fare types): Mid-cabin rows in economy. Middle seats are always free; window and aisle seats in standard rows are included in the seat selection for most Air India economy fares except the cheapest 'Economy Lite' bucket.
- Preferred seats (paid upgrade): These are typically the seats with extra legroom — over-wing rows, exit rows, and sometimes the row immediately behind the forward partition of economy. Air India charges a fee for these in the range of ₹1,500–₹4,500 per seat per sector on the DEL–LHR route, depending on fare class and demand. The price is displayed on their seat map.
- Economy Lite fare exclusion: If you booked on Air India's cheapest economy tier (often called 'Economy Lite'), even standard seat selection may be blocked until check-in. Families on this fare type may end up without adjacent seats unless they pay for seat selection or request it at the airport.
Bassinet rows (bulkhead) are generally not in the 'preferred seat' tier — they are standard seats with an extra request for the bassinet fitment. Air India's policy is to allocate bassinet rows to infants passengers at no additional seat charge. However, confirm this when you request the bassinet, as policies can shift.
Tip: Air India's seat map (accessible via Manage Booking on airindia.com) shows current seat availability and pricing for your specific PNR. Check it as soon as you book, and again 24–48 hours before departure when web check-in opens — a batch of previously held seats often becomes available for free selection at that point.
Best rows to request: a practical summary for families
Given all of the above, here is the honest family seat-picking guide for Air India's 787-9 DEL–LHR:
- Lap infant (under 2): Request the bulkhead row explicitly via Air India's customer service immediately after booking. Accept the fixed armrests as a trade-off for the bassinet. Sit in the middle three seats (across the central aisle block) if available — more foot space in front and easier for one parent to take the other side of the aisle.
- Toddler (2–4, in own seat): A row 3–5 rows back from the bulkhead gives you moveable armrests (child can nap across a lap) plus the same AC power access. Window seat for the child (distraction) + aisle seat for the parent who will be making frequent trips.
- Child 5–10: Middle block of economy, mid-cabin. Less galley noise than the last few rows. Avoid the very last rows — toilets and galley noise are disruptive on a long overnight sector, and the seats often do not recline fully.
- Exit row for the adults: If one grandparent or adult can manage an older child in an adjacent standard row, the exit-row extra legroom can be worth the paid premium for a tall adult — but remember, children cannot sit in exit rows on Air India (or any Indian or international carrier).
Check fares for DEL–LHR on FlightGPT before you book, and also browse our OTA comparison for family bookings — sometimes Air India fares are more competitive on their own site versus the OTAs on this specific route.
Bottom line
Air India's retrofitted 787-9 on DEL–LHR is a solid family aircraft — better IFE than the older 777, better power provision, quieter engines. The bassinet rows work, but request early. The fixed armrests at the bulkhead are the main compromise. Standard economy fares on most fare classes include advance seat selection, so there is no need to pay for preferred seats just to sit with your kids — unless you specifically want extra legroom. Always verify the exact aircraft type and row layout on airindia.com after booking, since Air India occasionally swaps aircraft on this route.
Frequently asked questions
Which row on Air India's 787-9 has the bassinet attachment for DEL–LHR?
On the typical Air India 787-9 economy configuration, bassinet-capable bulkhead rows are in the first row of the economy cabin — usually in the range of row 33–36 depending on the specific aircraft. Exact row numbers shift by aircraft. After booking, check the seat map on airindia.com under Manage Booking to confirm the current configuration for your specific flight.
How do I request a bassinet on Air India?
Contact Air India's customer service (call centre or via the 'Special Services Request' option in Manage Booking on airindia.com) as soon as you have booked. Bassinets are allocated on request, not automatically. DEL–LHR is a heavily loaded route, so request early. You will also typically confirm the bassinet request again at check-in at Delhi airport.
Does Air India charge extra for family seat selection on DEL–LHR?
For most Air India economy fares (except the cheapest 'Economy Lite' bucket), advance seat selection is included at no extra charge for standard economy seats. Preferred seats with extra legroom carry a fee, typically in the range of ₹1,500–₹4,500 per seat per sector. Bassinet rows are standard seats and should not carry an extra fee — but confirm when you request the bassinet.
Can children sit in exit rows on Air India?
No. Exit-row seats require passengers who are able and willing to assist cabin crew in an emergency — airlines including Air India prohibit infants, young children, and passengers with mobility limitations from exit-row seats. Do not plan to seat your child in an exit row even if the seat map shows it as available.
Is the Air India 787-9 always the aircraft on DEL–LHR, or might I get a different plane?
Air India operates DEL–LHR primarily with the 787-9 but occasionally uses a 787-8 or 777-300ER depending on schedule and maintenance. The cabin layout, row numbers and power provision differ between these types. After booking, check Manage Booking on airindia.com — the aircraft type is shown there. If the type has changed from what was listed when you booked, call Air India to reconfirm your bassinet request.
Does Air India's DEL–LHR 787 have USB-C charging?
Air India's retrofitted 787-9 economy seats typically have USB-A ports and universal AC outlets. USB-C is not standard on the older seat units. Bring a USB-A to USB-C adapter or a GaN charger with a USB-A output. The AC outlet at each seat (or shared between two seats) is generally easier to rely on for tablets and devices that need consistent power over a 9-hour sector.