Are you frequently travelling on the high-demand Mumbai-Delhi route, shuffling regularly between the two metros for business meetings? Here’s something you can look out for to make your air travel experience more pleasant than normal. IndiGo officially launched its much-anticipated IndiGo Stretch service, setting a new benchmark for mid-tier air travel.
The inaugural flight took off yesterday from Delhi to Mumbai, covering the distance in 1 hour and 40 minutes at a cost of INR 18,018. This new service has now positioned IndiGo as offering an affordable business-class alternative, aimed at attracting travellers who desire enhanced comfort but at a more accessible price point.
Get Latest Mathrubhumi Updates in English
What do you get at INR 18,018 for a one-and-a-half-hour journey?
- Recliner-style lie-flat seats
- In-flight entertainment (IFE) screens
- Hot meals
- Exclusive lounge access
The chief executive of IndiGo, Peter Elbers was onboard the inaugural flight, talking to fellow passengers who were mostly aviation enthusiasts eager to get a first hand feel of the new premium offering. Prior to the flight many passengers expressed their excitement on social media. But did IndiGo manage to fulfil its promise?
The low-cost business class offering sure gave 12 seats in a spacious 2×2 layout. The seats could stretch to give your lumbar and lower-back some relief but they were not a lie-flat bed seats like traditional business class. The classy seats were spacious with 38” seat pitch, 21.3” width, 5” recline, and a 6-way adjustable headrest.
The technology friendly seats had add-ons like mobile/tablet holder, 60W USB-C port, and a 3-pin universal power outlet.
The ticket also included perks like vegetarian meal box, soft drinks, priority check-in, advance seat booking, anytime boarding, 30kg checked baggage allowance (2 pieces), and a 12kg hand baggage allowance, what could you ask for more?
But here’s what was missing:
- No lounge access
- Missing footrest
- Cold meals
Sure, with this service IndiGo has helped to bridge the gap between budget-friendly flying options and premium offering.
Although this was just the first flight, experts feel that with time the airline will evolve and further enhance its premium offering to ‘wow’ passenger experience.
IndiGo’s Stretch service will soon be available on its upcoming fleet of Airbus A321XLRs and A350-900s, which were introduced in partnership with Iberia.
From a sustainability standpoint, IndiGo’s Stretch service reflects the airline’s continued commitment to eco-conscious aviation practices. By deploying newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, the airline is taking significant steps towards reducing its carbon footprint.
