IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi International) will depart from its low-cost model later this year when it introduces recliner-style business class seats on select aircraft, which it will initially deploy onto India’s busiest routes, beginning with Mumbai International-Delhi in mid-November. By the end of 2025, the airline intends to offer the premium cabin on 12 routes, including to Bengaluru International, Chennai, Hyderabad International, and Kolkata.
"IndiGo is embarking on a new path of its incredible growth story by introducing a tailor-made business product on the nation’s busiest and business routes," said CEO Pieter Elbers earlier this week. "With India’s soaring economy and the evolving aspirations of Indian society, we believe it’s time for IndiGo to redefine business class in India."
ch-aviation capacities data shows IndiGo commands a 61.71% domestic market share, as measured by weekly seat capacity. Its nearest competitor is Air India (AI, Delhi International), on 11.7%. Elbers appears keen to ward off any competitive threat posed by Air India, as that airline spends billions upgrading its fleet and overhauling its inflight product. He is also keen to tap India's steadily rising levels of affluence and a growing demand for premium travel experiences.
IndiGo will install the business class seats on around 40 of its A321neo types. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, the LCC operates 101 A321-200NX aircraft. It also has another 676 A321neo types on order, including 390 A321-200Ns, 217 A321-200NX, and sixty-nine A321-200NY(XLR)s, among an overall tally of 976 planes on order.
