IndiGo, which is India’s largest airline, is currently undergoing quite the transformation. The airline has historically operated single class aircraft primarily domestically, but is now evolving its business model.
For one, we’ve seen the airline introduce IndiGo Stretch, a premium product on select flights (think of it like “business class light”). Furthermore, we’re seeing the airline expand into long haul markets, as the company even has 60 Airbus A350-900s on order (and is already flying some long haul routes with leased Boeing 787s). But when it comes to long haul expansion, there’s another development happening right now, which I’d like to cover.
In this post:
Basics of IndiGo’s order for 69 Airbus A321XLRs
In 2023, IndiGo placed an order for 500 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, which is one of the biggest aircraft orders we’ve seen in history. Included in this order was 69 A321XLRs, which is the largest and longest range version of the A320neo family. So this plane allows IndiGo to operate long and thin routes, where the economics might not otherwise work.
IndiGo has just taken delivery of its very first A321XLR, which has the registration code VT-NLA, as the plane touched down in India on January 7, 2026.
So, what should passengers expect onboard? The planes features a total of 195 seats, including 12 IndiGo Stretch seats (with 44″ of pitch) and 183 economy seats (with 31″ of pitch).
Interestingly, IndiGo isn’t introducing a flat bed business class product on this plane, despite the fact that it will operate some long missions. However, the cabin is significantly more comfortable than on IndiGo’s other narrow body aircraft.
For example, IndiGo’s A321neos with Stretch seats that are used for domestic and regional international flights boast a total of 220 seats. That includes 12 Stretch seats with 38″ of pitch, and 212 economy seats with 28.5″ of pitch. In other words, compared to the A321neos, the A321XLRs have an extra 6″ of pitch in Stretch (with the addition of leg rests), and an extra 2.5″ of pitch in economy. On top of that, the planes have ovens, so that hot meals can be served.
The A321XLR only recently entered commercial service, with Iberia and Aer Lingus being the two launch customers. Generally, this plane is proving popular with full service airlines that also have a fair bit of premium demand, since you need premium revenue to make the economics of this plane work, at least for flights with long stage lengths.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this plane performs for IndiGo. I’m sure IndiGo will have no problems filling these planes, but will the yields be decent?
It’s noteworthy that IndiGo isn’t introducing a “real” business class on these flights. It makes me wonder if IndiGo will also only offer Stretch on its upcoming A350s, or if those will finally have a proper business class product. For that matter, the lack of seat back entertainment throughout the cabin leaves something to be desired, given the length of these flights.
IndiGo will first fly Airbus A321XLRs to Athens
IndiGo has put its first long haul Airbus A321XLR flights on sale. As of January 23, 2026, the airline will fly these planes 3x weekly to Athens (ATH) from both Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). The flights will operate with the following schedule:
6E1901 Delhi to Athens departing 9:10AM arriving 2:25PM
6E1902 Athens to Delhi departing 4:00PM arriving 3:10AM (+1 day)
6E1903 Mumbai to Athens departing 9:50AM arriving 2:15PM
6E1904 Athens to Mumbai departing 3:25PM arriving 2:00AM (+1 day)
These flights are in the range of 3,100-3,200 miles, and are blocked at around seven to eight hours in each direction.
Why is Athens IndiGo’s first long haul A321XLR destination? On the surface it seems like an unusual destination, especially with it launching in January, since Greece tends to be a summer seasonal destination.
Well, Greek Star Alliance carrier Aegean is also soon taking delivery of A321XLRs (ones that were initially supposed to fly for JetBlue), and plans to start flying those exact routes in the coming months.
That’s not a coincidence, as the two airlines are launching a partnership. It’s kind of funny that they’ll be flying the same types of planes in the same markets. The intent is that the airlines will offer connectivity for each other on both ends.
In general I see merit to the concept of connecting Greece with India on a year-round basis. That’s because Aegean has a huge amount of connectivity in Athens, so this will offer the most convenient access to India for those traveling from all over eastern and southern Europe. India is obviously an important year-round business destination.
But here’s what I struggle with — the difference in product between Aegean and IndiGo is massive, especially among more lucrative travelers. Most people who aren’t on a tight budget wouldn’t want to subject themselves to an eight hour flight on an IndiGo A321XLR if they could instead fly an Aegean A321XLR.
Even with a partnership, they’ll still be competitors in the market, since it’s not like they’ll have a joint venture with revenue sharing. So while I do think there’s merit to the two airlines partnering, I can’t imagine their performance will be similar.
Bottom line
IndiGo has just taken delivery of its first of 69 Airbus A321XLRs, which marks an exciting chapter in the carrier’s long haul expansion. All the A321XLRs will boast similar interiors to the A321neos with Stretch seating, except there’s additional pitch in both cabins.
IndiGo plans to have Athens as its first A321XLR international destination. That seems quite random on the surface, but clearly the logic is that this is due to a partnership with Aegean, as the carrier is launching the same route.
Even with a partnership, I have to imagine that Aegean will have significantly higher yields than IndiGo, give the vastly different products offered.
What do you make of IndiGo’s Airbus A321XLR plans?
Unfortunately for Aegean, there seem to be some issues with JetBlue’s seats that are preventing the A321XLRs from being delivered. Cabin crew training has been placed on hold and ticket sales were supposed to start in September. The delay will be significant.
Same economy seat type as KLM’s cabin refits, perhaps a touch of Pieter Elbers?
No these looks much thinner. KL Recaro seats have more padding than these. Looks uncomfortable even for 4 hours to be honest.
The singular shade of blue is too much for me. For an airline with the name "IndiGo", you would think they would add another shade of blue to break up the monotony.
I wonder if they also get sent to Istanbul as the TK wet lease ends.
Love the deep vein thrombosis leg rests in business class. They "look" comfortable, but in reality they suck/hurt. Unless you're a baby.
Looks more like a shallow vein thrombosis