IndiGo Leads the Way: First Indian Airline to Acquire A321XLR
IndiGo, a leading Indian low-cost carrier, has made history by becoming the first airline in India to take delivery of the Airbus A321XLR. This significant event marks a pivotal milestone in the carrier’s long-haul expansion strategy. The aircraft arrived in Delhi on January 7, 2026, and is set to commence commercial service later this month.
The long-range narrow-body aircraft will be utilized on IndiGo’s new non-stop services. These include routes connecting Mumbai to Athens starting January 23, 2026, and Delhi to Athens from January 24, 2026. With three weekly frequencies on both routes, this heralds IndiGo’s entry into direct India-Greece service. CEO Pieter Elbers has referred to this as a connection between “two of the world’s oldest civilizations.”
IndiGo’s A321XLR boasts 195 seats, which include 12 “IndiGoStretch” business class seats in a 2×2 configuration with a 44-inch pitch. Additionally, there are 183 economy seats with a 31-inch pitch. The aircraft is equipped with advanced RECARO seating and features Bluebox wireless in-flight entertainment, USB-C charging ports, and hot meal service. This is a significant upgrade for the budget carrier’s long-haul operations.
The airline has a firm order for 40 A321XLR aircraft from its total order book of nearly 1,000 Airbus aircraft. Nine A321XLRs are expected to be delivered in 2026. The Airbus A321XLR, with its range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km), will enable IndiGo to reach new markets across Europe, East Asia, and Africa while maintaining cost efficiency.
Source: https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/indigo-welcomes-first-airbus-a321xlr-aircraft