India’s leading budget airline IndiGo is set to revolutionize domestic travel with its new premium service launching this week.
The airline will introduce its first IndiGoStretch A321neo aircraft on the Delhi-Mumbai route starting November 14, 2024. This marks a significant step in the Indian carrier’s evolution from a pure low-cost model to a more diverse service offering.
Business Class with IndiGoStretch
This new premium offering marks a significant upgrade from IndiGo’s previous IndiGo XL service. Previously, the airline only offered extra legroom seats in the first row and emergency exits of A320-family aircraft.
The new IndiGoStretch service features full business-class seating on select A321neo aircraft. It highlights the airline’s move to meeting the growing demands of India’s travellers for premium cabin product.
At a special unveiling ceremony, IndiGo’s founder and Managing Director Rahul Bhatia, alongside CEO Pieter Elbers, revealed the “IndiGo means Business” initiative on the inaugural IndiGoStretch aircraft.
The announcement coincided with the airline’s 18th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the company’s continuous innovation and adaptation to market needs.
IndiGoStretch Features
Passengers can expect a luxurious travel experience with IndiGoStretch’s premium features. The aircraft boasts coupe-style seating arranged in two-seat wide bays. The airline complements this with exclusive healthy meal options from Oberoi Flight Services.
The RECARO-designed seats set new standards for comfort in Indian domestic aviation with their impressive specifications. Each seat offers a generous 38-inch pitch and 21.3-inch width, ensuring ample personal space for passengers.
The seats are equipped with a sophisticated six-way adjustable headrest featuring enhanced neck support. Meanwhile, the 5-inch recline capability allows travelers to find their perfect position for work or relaxation.
Modern conveniences haven’t been overlooked either. Each seat features an electronic device holder, a powerful 60-watt USB-C power port, and a universal three-pin power outlet for keeping devices charged throughout the journey.
Additional Benefits
IndiGoStretch customers receive several complimentary benefits designed to enhance the overall travel experience. These include priority check-in services, flexible boarding times, and advance seat selection without convenience fees.
The premium service also offers generous baggage allowances, with passengers permitted to check in two bags totaling 30 kg and carry one cabin bag weighing up to 12 kg.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers emphasized the timing of this launch: “With India’s thriving economy and evolving consumer preferences, we’re adapting to meet new demands.”
“IndiGoStretch will serve both experienced business travelers and those enjoying premium travel for the first time, creating new opportunities for comfortable and efficient domestic travel.”
Summary
The airline has ambitious expansion plans for IndiGoStretch, with a clear rollout strategy for the coming months. By early January, all Delhi-Mumbai flights will feature IndiGoStretch aircraft, ensuring consistency in service on this crucial business route.
IndiGo will extend the IndiGoStretch service to all Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Chennai routes by March 2025.
IndiGo plans to introduce a total of 45 IndiGoStretch planes to its fleet. It will eventually operate an impressive 268 daily flights across 12 key routes.
The IndiGo premium service deployment coincides with news this week of the final merger of Vistara with Air India into a major full-service carrier.
IndiGo, for its part, is intent on solidifying its position as a major player in India’s premium air travel segment.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
