Onboard IndiGo’s Long-Haul Debut: The Start of a Global Ramp-Up

Earlier this week, IndiGo turned a new page in its almost 19-year history. On July 1, its first long-haul flight established connectivity between Mumbai and Manchester. The next day, it touched down in continental Europe, flying from Mumbai to Amsterdam for the first time.

The carrier will now operate on alternate days between the two routes, three times weekly. Don’t be fooled by the modest start – something much bigger is in the works.

IndiGo has been plotting global dominance for some time. Rahul Bhatia – CEO of parent company InterGlobe – brought former KLM chief Pieter Elbers on board in 2022. The brief was to lead the organization in its shift from a domestic and regional carrier to a true long-haul operator.

The airline has ordered more than 60 Airbus A321 XLR aircraft, which are scheduled to join the fleet later this year. It also ordered 30 widebody A350-900s in 2024, later doubling the order to 60 jets.

But these plans go beyond planes. Last year, the airline launched a series of initiatives including a loyalty program and a domestic business class product. IndiGo has also confirmed that the upcoming XLRs will have 12 factory-fitted business class seats on board.

Already India’s largest airline, IndiGo was not going to wait for 2027 to enter its widebody long-haul flying era. The carrier gained familiarization with larger aircraft through a leasing deal with Turkish Airlines. The Boeing 777s have a dense configuration with just seven business class seats and an incredible 531 economy class seats.

IndiGo has now contracted Norse Atlantic Airways to wet-lease six of their Boeing 787-9 aircraft for up to 18 months. The first arrived in February and was flown on the busy route between Delhi and Bangkok for three months. As of this week, the aircraft are being put to better use on European services.

With the introduction of Dreamliner jets, IndiGo comes closer to a full-service airline. It is offering a new product and service offerings on these intercontinental flights, which are a taste of what passengers can expect when the A350s arrive.

Elbers has been vocal that the onboard product needs to be “fit-for-purpose” and not just a copy of whatever already exists. This was apparent at the launch of the domestic IndiGo Stretch product, where the airline offers no lounge access or hot meals, which it feels are unnecessary for short-haul flights.

IndiGo now has a different mindset at play. Still anchored in its “fit-for-purpose” mentality, the airline decided to offer hot meals on board its new long-haul flights. The airline is also integrating with Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France-KLM to offer easy transfers in the UK and the Netherlands. The goal is to provide passengers with straightforward connections into the U.S. and around Europe. A comprehensive codeshare deal is expected to go live shortly.

The generous nature of its “value-for-money” IndiGo Stretch product has surprised some. The Norse Atlantic aircraft only have recliner seats, but these come with a generous seat pitch.

In practice, this allows IndiGo to offer something closer to business class, albeit without the lie-flat beds. The airline has 56 seats in the 787’s Stretch cabin.

IndiGo is also offering lounge access at both ends of the route – unusual for a carrier known for strict cost control, these upgrades signal a willingness to compete on comfort as well as price. Premium customers also have a large baggage allowance that mirrors legacy business class, and over 200 hours of in-flight entertainment. There are five meal choices (two international, two Indian, and one vegan) for Stretch customers, and unlimited beverages (including alcohol).

Elbers confirmed that the airline won’t be offering champagne and caviar, but the airline’s catering, outsourced to Oberoi Flight Services, clearly punches above its weight.

Elsewhere, there are no amenity kits, but there is an “amenities basket”, which features dental kits and compression socks. A plush pillow, with a map of the globe and a blue dot marking IndiGo’s headquarters in Delhi NCR, is also available for Stretch passengers.

In a nod to Elbers’ KLM days, the airline is also offering warm overlays that it allows passengers to take away with them and reuse. There are 18 designs available, with customers encouraged to collect them all, just like KLM does with ceramic Delft houses.

Further back on the aircraft, IndiGo is offering economy passengers two hot meals. Alcoholic drinks and the overlays are available for purchase.

The airline is currently pricing its European flights around 30% cheaper than comparable one-stop options via the Middle East. There is no direct competition on the Mumbai to Manchester route, but KLM operates to Amsterdam.

When asked if this was the final product definition that would be mirrored on the new A350s, Elbers insisted this was not the case. He declined to elaborate further, but it leaves open the possibility that IndiGo may consider a three-cabin setup, with economy, premium economy, and business class.

IndiGo representatives onboard the inaugural flight suggested to Skift that the airline will eventually look beyond Europe and is considering flights to the United States.

Occupancy was low on the first flights, but IndiGo is not so worried. It knows that a new route can take time to warm up, especially since travel to Europe usually involves visas.

The airline has already confirmed that bookings look stronger in the coming weeks, and as it plugs into its strategic tie-up with transatlantic partners such as Delta and KLM, a further lift is expected.

While IndiGo’s initial European routes do not directly challenge Air India’s network, it remains to be seen how many people will switch from a legacy full-service product to a slightly lesser offering, in exchange for lower fares.

Air India operates flights between Delhi (rather than Mumbai) and Amsterdam with the Boeing 787. However, this aircraft has seen its issues with common reports of non-functioning entertainment screens and an outdated cabin.

As is customary for a legacy carrier, Air India offers a full package of meals and comfortable seats, but it doesn't offer the low fares found at IndiGo. It remains to be seen how the Middle Eastern carriers will react to the entry of IndiGo, and if the ambitious Indian operator will be able to chip away traffic as its network ramps up.