IndiGo Reveals Launch Dates for Long-Haul European Expansion

IndiGo is launching its first long-haul route between Mumbai and Manchester starting July 1. Just a day later, on July 2, the low-cost carrier will begin its non-stop service from Mumbai to Amsterdam. 

These will be the airline’s first intercontinental flights using wide-body aircraft, operated with damp-leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic Airways. IndiGo will become the only airline offering nonstop flights from Mumbai to Manchester.

These long-haul launches come at a time when demand for travel between India and Europe continues to rise. For Amsterdam and Manchester, both important business and diaspora hubs, there is a clear need for more direct connectivity.

“We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo’s unparalleled domestic network, showcasing ‘India by IndiGo’ to foreign travellers,” IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said.

Connectivity to Northern England

Elbers earlier told Skift that a major new trade deal between India and the UK was good news for IndiGo. 

The new thrice-weekly flights will offer European travelers easier access to IndiGo’s extensive domestic network, which covers more than 90 Indian cities.

With half a million people of Indian heritage living in Manchester Airport’s catchment area, the service is likely to serve both leisure and family travel, as well as student and business segments, Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said.

“On top of that we have this summer’s England vs India Test series to look forward to. It’s great to see tickets for this exciting route going on sale and I’m really looking forward to welcoming the first passengers in the summer,” added Woodroofe.

What to Expect Onboard These Flights?

The airline is using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, configured with 338 seats in total — 56 in IndiGoStretch and 282 in standard economy. IndiGoStretch is the airline’s version of a premium economy or hybrid business class product. It offers 43-inch seat pitch, greater recline, and a 2x3x2 seating layout. Economy seats have a 31-inch pitch in a 3x3x3 layout.

On board, the experience will be noticeably different from the typical IndiGo flight.

All passengers, regardless of cabin, will receive complimentary hot meals, a first for the carrier. In IndiGoStretch, this will include alcoholic beverages, while economy passengers will receive complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, with the option to purchase alcohol.

Meals will be vegetarian by default, with the ability to pre-select non-vegetarian options during booking.

IndiGo’s Long-Haul Strategy

This move is just the beginning of IndiGo’s widebody operations.

The airline has leased four 787-9s from Norse, one of which already operates on the Mumbai–Bangkok route. These aircraft will bridge the gap until IndiGo’s own Airbus A321XLRs begin arriving later this year, followed by Airbus A350-900s from 2027 onwards.

With these aircraft, IndiGo aims to gradually build a long-haul network that mirrors its successful domestic and regional operations, which includes low-cost, point-to-point flights.

“International air travel in India was catered to by non-Indian airlines for a long time. The further away you go from India, the lower is the market share of Indian carriers. There is an opportunity for us to offer a product that is operated by an Indian operator and address that market,” Elbers said at the Skift India Forum.

However, Elbers did say that there will still be some time before IndiGo enters ultra long-haul operations: “There is a lot of long-haul flying to do before we go the ultra long-haul route.”