IndiGo Stretch: New IndiGo Business Class On A321neos

Earlier this year, IndiGo, which is India’s largest airline in terms of number of passengers flown, revealed plans to introduce a business class product. While I’ve already covered the details, I wanted to provide an update, as pictures have just been revealed of the first aircraft featuring the new cabins.

Details of IndiGo’s new business class

Since commencing operations in 2006, IndiGo has operated as a low cost carrier, and hasn’t offered a premium cabin experience. That’s about to change, with a new product named IndiGo Stretch. IndiGo plans to introduce a business class product for flights as of November 14, 2024, and tickets are now on sale.

Here’s what we can expect from IndiGo’s new business class:

• IndiGo’s new business class will be the Recaro R5 seat, so it will be a “proper” regional business class product with wider seats and much more legroom; this isn’t just economy with a blocked middle seat
• Business class will consist of 12 seats that have 38″ of pitch and 21.3″ of width, spread across three rows, in a 2-2 configuration; seats will have 5″ of recline
• Business class will be available on select Airbus A321neo aircraft; the airline has historically configured its A321neos with 222-232 seats, but the ones with business class will have a total of 220 seats (planes with business class will have a special “IndiGo Means Business” decal on them)
• IndiGo will offer a special meal service in business class, catered in partnership with hotel partner Oberoi; however, the planes won’t have ovens, so meals will be cold, and will be served in boxes
• IndiGo business class seats will have USB-C and AC power outlets, six-way adjustable headrests with neck support, and electronic device holders
• IndiGo business class tickets won’t include lounge access, but that could change in the future

Below are some pictures of the new IndiGo Stretch cabin. While it looks pretty comfortable, I can’t help but feel like IndiGo’s cabins generally don’t look very modern… is it just me?

IndiGo business class will be available primarily from Delhi (DEL), with the first destination being Mumbai (BOM), and the product being spread to a dozen routes by the end of 2025. Introductory business class fares start around 18,000 INR (~215 USD)

So, why has IndiGo decided to introduce a business class product? As this decision is described, IndiGo was founded with a focus on three customer promises — affordable fares, on-time performance, and hassle-free and courteous service. Now the airline feels that it’s time to take the next step in the evolution of the airline. This decision comes as IndiGo sees “India’s soaring economy and evolving aspirations of Indian society.”

Here’s how IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers describes this development:

“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. With India’s soaring economy and the evolving aspirations of the Indian society, we believe it’s time for IndiGo to redefine business class in India, increasing availability of this service for the nation. IndiGo Stretch will provide our customers the on-time performance and hassle-free and courteous experience they can expect from us, while adding more space and increased priority at a great value for money.”

My take on IndiGo’s new business class product

In terms of product quality, IndiGo’s new business class impresses me, and it’s better than I was expecting. I was thinking that IndiGo might play it safe, and introduce a business class product like on short haul flights in Europe, where it’s just economy with a blocked middle seat, since it allows the most flexibility.

However, the airline really is going all-in, and is introducing a dedicated product that should have both comfortable seats and good service. Now, this is definitely still a hybrid product in some ways — there’s no lounge access, and seat pitch is a bit less than you’ll find on Air India.

I do find the name of the product to be a bit odd. IndiGo Stretch sounds like an extra legroom economy product, rather than like the name of a business class product.

I can’t say that I’m surprised to see IndiGo introducing a premium cabin at last, given the carrier’s growth plans. IndiGo has plans to fly long haul, and has ordered both Airbus A321XLRs and Airbus A350-900s, which will cause the airline to increasingly compete head-on with Air India.

I figured the airline wouldn’t be operating long haul flights in an all-economy configuration (the economics of that aren’t great). So if the airline was going to offer business class on long haul flights, it’s also important to have competitive connectivity opportunities.

Now, I am curious if IndiGo is falling into a bit of a trap here. IndiGo has been incredibly successful sticking to its core business of operating affordable, reliable, and no frills flights. As the airline goes upmarket, economics change a bit as well. Will the airline focusing on long haul flights and premium cabins ultimately improve profitability or harm it? I’m not sure, but it seems like a gamble…

Bottom line

As of mid-November 2024, IndiGo is introducing a business class product, which will be named IndiGo Stretch. The cabin will be available on select Airbus A321neo flights, initially from Delhi to key business destinations. IndiGo plans to offer an elevated hard and soft product.

I’m very curious to see how all of this evolves. The airline is India’s most successful, so will this focus on a premium product help or harm profitability?

What do you make of IndiGo introducing business class?