IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, announced the launch of its business class product at an elaborate ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, yesterday. The class named IndiGoStretch will go live from November 14, 2024 and is now open for bookings. The first sector to go-live will be Delhi – Mumbai – Delhi sector and flights are available from INR 18,018 for a limited period of time.
The airline will have 45 A321neo aircraft configured with 12 Business and 208 economy class seats, slowly being rolled out across 12 routes and to be completed within a year of the first roll out.
What is the product?
IndiGo has opted for the Recaro R5 seat for its IndiGoStretch cabin. The 2×2 seating has a seat pitch of 38 inches (lower than Air India) and a width of 21.3 inches. IndiGo Stretch’s seats come with a six-way adjustable headrest with neck support, 5” recline to relax, electronic device holder, 60-watt USB-Type C power supply, and a three-pin universal power outlet to stay charged during the journey. However, there are fewer frills on offer than the standard R5 seat of Recaro. There is no foot rest or calf extender, with just one button available to recline and get the seat back upright. Some airlines like JAL have deployed these seats for Premium Economy on long haul.
The R5 seats are distinguished by customised diamond pattern quilted dress covers and advanced comfort cushions. The unique backrest with privacy wings and oversized centre console offering storage for small items enhances the flying experience for business class passengers on short and medium-haul flights. Each seat is also equipped with PC power and USB-C charging outlets, as well as a tablet holder for an enhanced inflight entertainment experience.
The tray table comes out from the sides, thus not impacting the co-passenger. The tray table is also adjustable with half/full options and ability to move away from the passenger.
First flights
As the sale opens, the product is available on six flights – three each between Mumbai and Delhi. The flights are,
6E6814 DEL0700 – 0915BOM
6E2009 DEL1300 – 1520BOM
6E354 DEL1900 – 2125BOM
6E2139 BOM1000 – 1215DEL
6E359 BOM1600 – 1815DEL
6E651 BOM2215 – 0030(+1)DEL
More flights will be added and a separate subfleet only for metro routes will be operated.
What about the meals?
IndiGo continues to stay away from the ovens and that means no hot meals onboard, even with a business class product. IndiGo is working with Oberoi group on the meal offerings, but it would be a specially curated vegetarian meal box and choice of beverages. The meal box will have a main meal, dessert and nuts. Sample meals were on display at the event yesterday.
IndiGo might have a limited food menu but its Chicken Junglee Sandwich has made quite a mark, but the cabin upfront will have only Vegetarian selection on offer. The airline is allowing adding sandwiches to your meal while booking IndiGoStretch.
The meals on display were Tehuacan Salad, Bhatti Tandoor cauliflower and paneer tikki, Lasooni Thecha Batata Salad, slow cooked farro and garbanzo salad.
What else?
The IndiGoStretch customers will not pay any convenience fee and will have access to priority check-in as a standard. IndiGoStretch customers can board the aircraft whenever they would want to. There won’t be any seat selection fee either.
The XL seats will continue in the economy cabin, on rows with emergency exit.
The economy class seats for these 45 aircraft will be different from the current ones, with the airline selecting Recaro R2 seats for these aircraft. These seats have a high pocket for reading material and come with the ability to provide USB charging. Has IndiGo opted for these? The airline has no comment to make, just yet.
Tail Note
The much anticipated product sets the tone for the future of IndiGo. These business class seats could well become the premium economy offerings of A350 or if the airline does not want to go the lie-flat business class way in the A350s, offer these seats at premium economy pricing. The possibilities are just the beginning.
These are early days for both the product and the change. How the passengers take to it and what the airline needs to do and tweak to make a mark will be seen over the next one year.
One thing is for sure, and that is – the passengers on the 12 routes being spoilt for choice with Air India speeding up the three class offering, Vistara’s merger helping Air India with additional three-class configured aircraft and IndIGo launching IndiGoStretch.
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