India’s leading airline, IndiGo, has unlocked a bold new chapter in its journey, launching long-haul routes to Manchester and Amsterdam. These new flights mark the airline’s most ambitious move yet and will now depart from Mumbai instead of Delhi due to ongoing airspace restrictions over Pakistan. The change brings an unexpected advantage to Mumbai’s busy airport.
In a notable shift from its traditional low-cost model, IndiGo is embracing a more premium approach. The airline has introduced complimentary hot meals and beverages on these extended routes, served onboard the state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners leased from Norse Atlantic. These Dreamliners, equipped with modern kitchens and upgraded interiors, will carry 56 premium seats branded as IndiGoStretch and 282 economy seats. Premium travellers will enjoy free meals and alcoholic drinks, while economy passengers will receive hot meals and non-alcoholic beverages, with alcohol available for purchase.
Manchester, an unserved Indian route until now, and Amsterdam, a competitive space shared with KLM and Air India, are both strategic choices. IndiGo had previously offered one-stop connections via Istanbul through its partner Turkish Airlines. Now, with widebody aircraft in play, the airline is directly taking on legacy carriers, especially Air India, which is still navigating its post-privatisation journey.
IndiGo’s growing global partnerships with airlines like Qatar Airways, Air France-KLM, Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas also hint at deeper collaboration on the horizon. With its massive passenger base and strategic network expansion, IndiGo could soon be trading passenger volumes for prized airport slots in hubs like London and Paris, opening the door to further codeshares or strategic alliances.
The airline’s robust financial health gives it the freedom to experiment with longer routes while keeping costs competitive. As Air India strengthens its domestic reach with Air India Express, IndiGo is quietly building an international fortress, setting the stage for a clash of titans across the skies.
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