IndiGo starts long-haul debut with non-stop flights connecting Mumbai and Manchester

IndiGo, has announced it’s first-ever long-haul route connecting Mumbai (India) with Manchester (United Kingdom), becoming the only airline to offer nonstop service between these two cities, from 1 July. 

Upgrading its in-flight dining experience, IndiGo also announced that complimentary hot meals and beverages will be served to all customers on this route. The airline will use its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to operate thrice weekly flights on the route. This will make IndiGo the only airline offering direct connectivity between India and the Northern UK. The flights are open for bookings across channels, including IndiGo’s official website www.goIndiGo.in, mobile app, and authorised travel partners.

CEO Pieter Elbers said: “IndiGo’s long-haul foray marks a pivotal moment in our global expansion journey. We are very proud as well as excited to open the sale of our first long-haul service connecting Mumbai with Manchester, a very special route in many ways. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we are thrilled to announce that specially crafted complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route. The new route will provide seamless connection to a vast majority of over 90 Indian destinations on IndiGo’s domestic network benefiting customers travelling from Manchester to Mumbai.” 

“This service by IndiGo will thereby further enhance connectivity between India and the UK, fostering stronger economic, educational, and cultural ties. Beyond supporting the growing Indian diaspora in the region, these direct flights are expected to boost two-way tourism, ease travel for students, professionals and leisure travellers, and unlock new avenues for bilateral trade and collaboration between the two countries. We look forward to a strong and synergistic partnership with Manchester airport, to be able to serve our customers well. This significant step underscores our commitment to becoming an airline of truly global scale and stature and contributing towards transforming India into a global aviation hub.”

The airline has made consecutive announcements of its debut long-haul routes from Mumbai, with Manchester and Amsterdam being added to its growing international network.

This is the start of a truly exciting new chapter in IndiGo’s growth journey with Amsterdam and Manchester being the initial long-haul destinations. With the introduction of more 787-9 from Norse, and the arrival of IndiGo’s A321XLRs starting this year and A350 from 2027 will usher a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo’s unique value proposition.

Recently, IndiGo signed agreements with Norse Atlantic Airways to damp lease six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, one of which is already operating on its Delhi-Bangkok route. These aircraft will support IndiGo’s debut into the European market, starting with Manchester and Amsterdam, while the airline awaits the delivery of its A321XLR from this year and A350-900 aircraft from 2027 onwards.

The wide-body aircraft boasts a spacious double-aisle design, featuring 56 IndiGoStretch seats in a comfortable 2x3x2 configuration, with an impressive 43-inch seat pitch. The economy class offers 282 seats in a 3x3x3 configuration, offering a generous 31-inch seat pitch for a comfortable travel experience.

IndiGoStretch customers on this new route will enjoy an elevated in-flight dining experience with specially curated complimentary hot meals served with finest alcohol catered by award-winning iconic Indian brands, promising a journey that’s as enjoyable as the destination. IndiGoStretch’s customers will also enjoy extra legroom, comfortable seating, and increased recline, designed to elevate comfort during long-haul journeys. The premium experience includes more complimentary benefits like priority check-in, anytime boarding, advance seat selection, and zero convenience fee. Customers will also get additional baggage allowance starting from 30 kgs in check-in and one bag weighing up to 12 kgs in the cabin.