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The aircraft will feature IndiGo’s special business class product, IndiGoStretch, which is currently available on select domestic flights.
The Boeing 787-9 already includes a premium class cabin alongside economy seating. (Representative image)
IndiGo, one of India’s largest airline, has damp-leased a wide-body Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Norse Atlantic Airways, with its first international destination set for Bangkok, Thailand.
Having said that, the aircraft will start operating a daily return service on the popular Delhi-Bangkok route from March 1. IndiGo also plans to use the 787-9 for European routes starting from mid-summer, as it seeks to expand its international network.
IndiGo’s business class product, IndiGoStretch, will be available on the damp-leased Boeing 787-9. This aircraft already includes a premium class cabin alongside economy seating.
According to The Indian Express, CEO Pieter Elbers shared, “As India’s aviation sector rapidly grows, IndiGo is positioned to lead this expansion. The introduction of our wide-body aircraft is a key milestone, and while we start with Delhi-Bangkok, we plan to move to Europe soon.”
Although the Boeing 787-9 can handle long-haul intercontinental flights, IndiGo has opted for Bangkok, a route easily served by narrow-body planes, for its initial flights. Experts suggest that the Delhi-Bangkok route is a strong choice due to its high demand and familiarity as IndiGo develops its medium- and long-haul network to Europe and beyond.
To support its international growth, IndiGo plans to add extra-long-range Airbus A321 XLR aircraft and wide-body Airbus A350 planes for medium- and long-range flights. The airline is set to receive the A321 XLRs from 2025-26 and the A350s from 2027. However, IndiGo does not want to wait for these aircraft to start expanding internationally, leading it to damp lease the Boeing 787-9 and seek more wide-body planes.
This move towards a wide-body fleet represents a significant shift from the traditional budget airline model, which typically focuses on a single-type narrow-body fleet and short-haul routes.
While many low-cost long-haul airlines have struggled globally, IndiGo currently operates a fleet of narrow-body jets and turboprop aircraft, in addition to two wide-body Boeing 777 planes leased from Turkish Airlines for flights to Turkey.
