Just before Diwali, IndiGo announced flights to Athens from both Delhi and Mumbai, with thrice weekly services from each city. This was a sure indication that the XLR would be inducted before January 23, 2026. The flight departed from Airbus facility in Hamburg on January 06, 2026 and landed in Delhi with a stop in Abu Dhabi today. The talk of the town obviously being the need of the stop for the XLR. IndiGo took deliveries of its A320ceo with a stop in the middle east, with the NEOs coming non-stop until the closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian carriers. The airline has not given a specific count of how many XLRs it has ordered. Like all major players, the airline has the option to shift between different types in the A320 family and has exercised this option in the past. Airbus does not list the XLR as a separate type in its Orders and Deliveries updates.
Where will the aircraft be deployed?
IndiGo will deploy the flights to Athens from Delhi and Mumbai. The aircraft will operate as per below
6E1903 BOM0950 – 1415ATH 146
6E1904 ATH1525 – 0205(+1)BOM 357
6E1901 DEL0910 – 1425ATH 357
6E1902 ATH1600 – 0310(+1)DEL 146
Configuration
IndiGo’s XLR is configured in dual class with 12 Stretch seats and 183 economy class seats, a total of 195 seats on offer. The existing two class aircraft are configured with 220 seats.
What to expect?
For the first time, IndiGo will offer in-seat power supply and device holders in economy. Passengers can stream content on their own devices via Bluebox, the same provider behind the in-flight entertainment for Vistara and subsequently Air India. IndiGo had trialled this on select flights to Goa.
Hot meals and more
The biggest change is the introduction of complimentary hot meals, served with a selection of global and local beverages. While IndiGo offers complimentary meals on damp-leased widebody routes, it does not extend the same to other dual-class routes like Bangkok or Singapore. Another difference is lounge access, which is currently available to IndiGoStretch customers on widebody flights. However, the airline has not (yet) announced similar access for Athens-bound passengers.
Vegetarian meals will be the default options, albeit with an option to pre-book non-vegetarian meals. Alcoholic beverages will be complimentary for IndiGoStretch customers and available for purchase in economy.
The hot meal service signals the introduction of ovens on IndiGo’s own aircraft for the first time in history—a significant shift for an airline that resisted onboard ovens due to weight, service time, and maintenance. However, as IndiGo expands its international footprint, features once considered frills are becoming standard.
Mixed service models
IndiGo’s long-haul strategy is still evolving, with multiple service models, complimentary meals, buy-on-board meals, and dual-class operations, possibly creating confusion for passengers.
This complexity has the potential to confuse the system and impact the experience, and the airline will have to execute this sharply more than ever.
Though the airline has not officially commented, it is largely believed that it shifted its long-haul hub to Mumbai due to Pakistani Airspace closures. With IndiGo announcing Athens flights from Delhi, the airline is either confident that the airspace will be available or trusts the range that XLR will offer.
Tail note
IndiGo will be the first Indian airline to induct the XLRs. Over the next few months, it could plan to convert its flights to Bali from Mumbai and Delhi to nonstops using the XLRs. Currently, these flights are scheduled with technical stops at Chennai and Bhubaneswar, respectively.
How will Indian passengers react to the whole experience for a 7-9 hour journey in a narrowbody aircraft? We will know soon.
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