- Strategy & Operations
- 2 min read
IndiGo checks in with ease of flying business, plans dual-class configuration in 35 Airbus A321 aircraft by 2024-end
The legroom, or seat pitch in industry jargon, in IndiGo's Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft is 30 inches on average at present, with three seats on each side. The airline is yet to determine how much more it will charge for premium seats, but customers who pay extra will receive priority boarding, complimentary in-flight food, and greater flexibility to make changes to their itinerary, said the person.
IndiGo may introduce a premium class of seats along with hot food and a loyalty programme by the end of 2024, as India's largest airline looks to court more business flyers and rival Air India on international routes, said people with knowledge of the matter.
The no-frills carrier may shed its one-size-fits-all model, as it is planning to introduce dual-class configuration in 35 Airbus A321 aircraft, they said. These aircraft are likely to be fitted with a premium cabin, which will have eight rows of seats with two on each side.
Airline yet to decide on rates for premium seats
"Eight rows with extra legroom seating will be installed in those aircraft, providing 36 inches of legroom for guests to stretch out or work comfortably," said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.
The legroom, or seat pitch in industry jargon, in IndiGo's Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft is 30 inches on average at present, with three seats on each side.
The airline is yet to determine how much more it will charge for premium seats, but customers who pay extra will receive priority boarding, complimentary in-flight food, and greater flexibility to make changes to their itinerary, said the person.
An IndiGo spokesperson refused to comment on the matter.
The no-frills model - entailing packing more passengers in dense cabins and charging extra for food, priority boarding and seat allocation - has served IndiGo well, helping it grab 60% share of India's domestic market and stay profitable in an environment where airlines struggle to increase ticket prices. Since 2012, three Indian carriers have gone bankrupt, failing to keep costs in tandem with expenses.
But IndiGo's leadership is now convinced that the airline should use its firm leadership position in the domestic market to become a leader in the overseas segment as well, said people in the know.
The company's CEO, Pieter Elbers, who joined the airline in 2021 from Air France-KLM, initiated a rapid expansion on international routes. One of its directors, Greg Sarestky, comes with the experience of having led Canadian airline WestJet's transformation from a low-cost to a hybrid airline.
IndiGo is also preparing to launch longer flights with the induction of the Airbus A321 XLR aircraft which will start joining the fleet from 2025. The airline will use those to expand to European markets, where flying time exceeds seven hours. Those planes will also come with business class seats and have more leg space in economy class with 190 seats, said the people cited earlier.
Elbers had earlier said that the airline was examining the prospect of having a dual-class seating but hadn't taken any decision yet. "The speed of market development is so fast and we have kept all options open. A lot of startups, new companies are being founded in India and they will all go international. All that needs travel and at one point needs a different class of travel," he had said.
The no-frills carrier may shed its one-size-fits-all model, as it is planning to introduce dual-class configuration in 35 Airbus A321 aircraft, they said. These aircraft are likely to be fitted with a premium cabin, which will have eight rows of seats with two on each side.
Airline yet to decide on rates for premium seats
"Eight rows with extra legroom seating will be installed in those aircraft, providing 36 inches of legroom for guests to stretch out or work comfortably," said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.
The legroom, or seat pitch in industry jargon, in IndiGo's Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft is 30 inches on average at present, with three seats on each side.
The airline is yet to determine how much more it will charge for premium seats, but customers who pay extra will receive priority boarding, complimentary in-flight food, and greater flexibility to make changes to their itinerary, said the person.
An IndiGo spokesperson refused to comment on the matter.
The no-frills model - entailing packing more passengers in dense cabins and charging extra for food, priority boarding and seat allocation - has served IndiGo well, helping it grab 60% share of India's domestic market and stay profitable in an environment where airlines struggle to increase ticket prices. Since 2012, three Indian carriers have gone bankrupt, failing to keep costs in tandem with expenses.
But IndiGo's leadership is now convinced that the airline should use its firm leadership position in the domestic market to become a leader in the overseas segment as well, said people in the know.
The company's CEO, Pieter Elbers, who joined the airline in 2021 from Air France-KLM, initiated a rapid expansion on international routes. One of its directors, Greg Sarestky, comes with the experience of having led Canadian airline WestJet's transformation from a low-cost to a hybrid airline.
IndiGo is also preparing to launch longer flights with the induction of the Airbus A321 XLR aircraft which will start joining the fleet from 2025. The airline will use those to expand to European markets, where flying time exceeds seven hours. Those planes will also come with business class seats and have more leg space in economy class with 190 seats, said the people cited earlier.
Elbers had earlier said that the airline was examining the prospect of having a dual-class seating but hadn't taken any decision yet. "The speed of market development is so fast and we have kept all options open. A lot of startups, new companies are being founded in India and they will all go international. All that needs travel and at one point needs a different class of travel," he had said.
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