IndiGo vs Indian Airlines

Overview

IndiGo is an Indian low-cost airline. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 2005 by Rahul Bhatia of InterGlobe Enterprises and Rakesh Gangwal, and began flying on 4 August 2006. It is headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana, is listed on the Indian stock exchanges, and is not a member of an airline alliance. It became India's largest carrier by passenger share in December 2012. In March 2026 chief executive Pieter Elbers resigned after the December 2025 scheduling crisis, and Willie Walsh was named as the incoming CEO.

Network and hubs

Delhi is the main hub. Operating bases include Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Wikipedia lists 128 destinations; a mid-2026 analysis cites 141 destinations, including 45 international cities, and more than 2,200 daily flights. IndiGo has codeshare and interline partnerships, including a codeshare with AEGEAN announced in September 2025, with A321XLR flights between India and Greece planned for 2026.

Fleet

As of August 2025, Wikipedia lists 434 aircraft, mostly Airbus A320 family jets plus ATR 72-600 turboprops. IndiGo also wet-leases two Boeing 777s from Turkish Airlines and has wet-leased Boeing 787s from Norse Atlantic. The analysis report cites about 440 aircraft in mid-2026, the first A321XLR delivery in January 2026, and an order for 60 Airbus A350-900s, with deliveries expected from 2027.

On board

• Cabins: mainly economy. IndiGoStretch, a business class product, was introduced in November 2024 on selected flights, with complimentary meals and advance seat selection.
• Meals: economy passengers buy food on board.
• Entertainment: no seatback entertainment in economy. IndiGo announced a streaming tie-up with SonyLIV in 2019.

Good to know

• The loyalty programme is BluChip.
• Paid options include pre-assigned seats, priority check-in and extra baggage allowance. Check the official website for current baggage rules and change fees, as these were not verified for this profile.
• The December 2025 crisis led to the cancellation of thousands of flights, so travellers may wish to check current schedules and disruption policies.

Global Network and Operations

Indian Airlines, originally established in 1953 and now merged into Air India, operated a vast domestic network along with select international routes primarily across South Asia and the Middle East. Its fleet mainly consisted of aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737, serving more than 60 destinations within India and abroad. The airline was well known for its focus on domestic air travel, connecting metropolitan cities with tier-2 and tier-3 towns.
• Domestic network covering major and secondary Indian cities.
• International flights to neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
• Fleet included Airbus A320, A319, Boeing 737, and ATR turboprops.
• Corporate headquarters located in New Delhi, India.

Innovation and Milestones

Indian Airlines was a pioneer in establishing reliable domestic air connectivity in India and introduced several service innovations over the decades.
• One of the first Indian airlines to operate jet aircraft commercially.
• Pioneered regional air connectivity connecting remote areas of India.
• Integrated advanced reservation systems in early 1990s to enhance customer booking experience.
• Merged with Air India in 2007 to form the national carrier Air India Limited.

Customer Experience and Recognition

Indian Airlines offered a straightforward cabin experience typically consisting of Economy Class seating tailored for short to medium haul flights. It was appreciated for dependable service and affordability on domestic routes. While it lacked premium cabins, the airline aimed to provide good value with included meals and friendly staff.

Future Outlook

Although Indian Airlines ceased operations following its merger with Air India, its legacy has influenced the development of domestic aviation in India. The future focus of the merged entity centers on expanding international connectivity, modernizing fleets, and enhancing customer-centric services to compete globally.