First came the announcement from Aegean Airlines, then came the announcement from IndiGo and then came the joint announcement. The India – Greece route is set to get interesting starting 2026 with Aegean Airlines starting services to Delhi and Mumbai from Athens, while IndiGo launches flights to Athens. IndiGo intends to offer thrice a week service each from Delhi and Mumbai, but could well change its plans depending on the airspace availability.
In July this year, Star Alliance member Aegean Airlines announced its plans to acquire two A321XLRs with the delivery scheduled for December 2025 and January 2026. The airline plans to start 5 weekly flights to New Delhi in March 2026 and thrice a week service to Mumbai in May 2026. A month before Aegean Airlines made the announcement, IndiGo had announced Athens as one of its destinations for this financial year, on the sidelines of IATA’s AGM in Delhi. The airline has now said that it expected to take delivery of the aircraft towards the end of 2025 and start services to Athens in January 2026.
When flights begin to Athens, this is the farthest that IndiGo’s own metal would travel with flights to Amsterdam and Manchester being offered on the damp leased Dreamliners.
Co-operation not competition
IndiGo and Aegean signed an MoU for a codeshare partnership to enable seamless and enhanced connectivity across their joint network. The announcement comes even before any of the carriers publish their schedule or open flights for sale between India and Athens, Greece. Interestingly, Aegean, a Star Alliance member, has not tied up with Air India for flights within India or to South Asia and has instead opted for IndiGo with which it will compete on the India – Greece route.
The MoU, when converted to a formalised codeshare, will see customers of Aegean connect on IndiGo network beyond Delhi (and Mumbai) to points in India and South Asia, while IndiGo customers can travel on Aegean’s domestic and European network. Aegean’s “A3” code will be placed on IndiGo flights to select destinations within India and to South Asia, while IndiGo’s “6E” code will be placed on Aegean’s domestic and European flights from Athens. This means IndiGo customers can fly one-stop to Santorini, Mykonos or Crete via Athens.
What to expect?
Details are still sketchy for the product of both airlines. IndiGo’s XLR will be configured in 12 Business Class and 183 economy class seats, a total of 195 seats. In the densest of configuration, IndiGo has 232 seats in an A321neo. Its dual class A321neo has 12 Business class and 208 economy class seats, a total of 220. IndiGo is yet to unveil its full product on the XLRs.
Aegean Airlines will have only 138 seats on the A321XLR, a luxurious configuration as compared to IndiGo. It will have 24 business class seats and 114 economy class seats. The airline is getting these aircraft which were meant for jetBlue as it defers its deliveries and replans its fleet due to market conditions. These aircraft feature 22 suites with all-aisle access, which jetBlue markets as Mint suites. It remains to be seen if Aegean will disband the studio suites. It also comes with Airbus Airspace LED cabin lighting, redesigned restrooms with larger sinks and extra large overhead bins.
Network Thoughts
Over the last few years, Greece has been on the radar of tour groups and Individual travellers from India with Athens along with the Greek islands gaining popularity. A direct connection will help leisure travellers along with wedding, MICE and tour groups.
IndiGo has recently managed to convince the government the necessity to continue with the Turkish damp leases, against national anti Turkey sentiment. As the XLRs fly beyond Turkey to Greece, at some point of time the airline will be questioned on replacement of the damp leased B777s with the XLRs. The XLRs will also open up new routes like Delhi – Bali, Mumbai – Bali, Manila amongst others. There are two uncertain things at the moment. The real and practical range of the XLRs in operation and how the passengers will take to being in a narrowbody for this long. The first will be answered soon, but the second question’s answer is dependent on the amenities on offer, including charging points and ovens for hot meals.
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