Say Hello to Luxury: IndiGo Introduces Business Class

Experience Luxury in the Skies

India's largest airline, IndiGo, is set to introduce business class seats on select domestic routes starting in mid-November, as announced by its CEO on Monday. This marks the first time the budget carrier will offer anything other than an all-economy cabin.

The move comes as IndiGo aims to tap into the increasing demand for upscale travel, driven by the rising incomes of many urban Indians who are now willing to spend on luxury items such as cars and apartments. Initially, business class tickets will be available on 12 routes, starting with Delhi-Mumbai for USD 214 (INR 17,952) one-way. The airline plans to expand this offering to include Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad over the next year.

"Given India's booming economy and changing customer expectations, it's a natural step for us to move in this direction," said CEO Pieter Elbers during a company event in New Delhi.

India boasts one of the world's fastest-growing domestic air travel markets, with IndiGo securing over 60% of the market share. By introducing a business-class product, IndiGo will compete directly with the country's only full-service carrier, Air India, which is undergoing a major overhaul under its new owner, Tata Group. IndiGo's business class seats will offer a more comfortable experience than standard seats, with adjustable headrests. Oberoi's hospitality group will treat passengers to "specially curated" meals.

Around 40 planes will be equipped with a dual-class cabin. Out of a total of 220 seats on its narrowbody Airbus aircraft, the airline will offer 12 business-class seats. IndiGo's move into the business class is part of a series of strategic shifts, from introducing in-flight entertainment on a mobile app to investing in long-haul travel by placing its first-ever widebody jet order. The airline is expanding its international destinations and is a customer of Airbus aircraft that can fly directly from India to Western Europe.