IndiGo and SpiceJet are both Indian low-cost carriers headquartered in Gurgaon, and both serve Delhi and many domestic routes. Travellers compare them on the same city pairs, mainly for fare and schedule. They differ greatly in size and current stability.
Quick verdict
IndiGo is the safer default for most travellers: it has a far larger fleet and network, more daily frequencies and a paid business option on select flights. SpiceJet can still be worth booking when its fare or timing is clearly better, but its financial strain and grounded aircraft mean a higher risk of schedule changes. Both are no-frills, so compare the final price including bags, seats and meals.
Choose IndiGo if…
- You want the most frequencies and the widest domestic and international choice, with Delhi as the main hub.
- You want the option of paid IndiGoStretch business class with complimentary meals on select flights.
- You value a larger fleet that makes rebooking easier if a flight is disrupted.
Choose SpiceJet if…
- SpiceJet has the cheaper fare or a better departure time on your specific route.
- You are flying a Delhi or Hyderabad route, or to the Gulf, that it currently operates.
- You are flexible and can check flight status closely and accept a change of plan.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
IndiGo is India's largest carrier by passenger share, with Delhi as its main hub and bases including Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad. A mid-2026 analysis cites 141 destinations, 45 of them international, and more than 2,200 daily flights (analysis).
SpiceJet operates from Delhi and Hyderabad to about 35 destinations, mostly domestic and regional UDAN routes, plus some Gulf flights. A route can be listed yet not bookable, as with Ahmedabad–Sharjah in August 2026.
Fleet and reliability
IndiGo flies about 434 to 440 aircraft, mostly Airbus A320 family plus ATR turboprops. Its main recent problem was the December 2025 scheduling crisis, which led to thousands of cancellations; CEO Pieter Elbers resigned in March 2026 and Willie Walsh was named as successor.
SpiceJet lists 54 aircraft, but many are not flying. NewsBytes reported in July 2026 that lessors were repossessing aircraft and about 80% of the fleet was grounded, though some aircraft have since returned or been damp-leased. Check status before travelling.
Cabins and seats
Both sell mostly economy. IndiGo introduced IndiGoStretch, a business class with complimentary meals and advance seat selection, in November 2024 on selected flights. It is also adding A321XLR aircraft, the first delivered in January 2026, for longer routes.
For SpiceJet, confirm the cabin and seat options on its website when booking, as the active fleet changes often.
Baggage and fares
SpiceJet's baggage FAQ gives domestic passengers one free 15 kg checked bag with a 158 cm size limit (length plus width plus height), and a 7 kg cabin bag on Boeing aircraft; excess baggage is charged. For IndiGo, check the official website for current baggage rules and change fees. Seats, meals and extra bags cost more on both, so compare the total fare.
Food and entertainment
On IndiGo, economy passengers buy meals on board, and there is no seatback screen; a SonyLIV streaming tie-up was announced in 2019. Complimentary meals come only with IndiGoStretch.
SpiceJet also generally sells meals and extras separately as a low-cost carrier. On IndiGo, bring your own entertainment, and on both expect to pay for food unless you pre-book.
Loyalty and alliances
Neither airline belongs to an alliance, so there are no alliance lounge or status benefits. IndiGo runs the BluChip loyalty programme and has codeshares, including one with AEGEAN announced in September 2025, with A321XLR flights between India and Greece planned for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is IndiGo better than SpiceJet?
For most travellers, yes: IndiGo has a much larger network, more frequencies and a bigger active fleet. SpiceJet is worth considering when it offers a cheaper fare on your route, but its grounded aircraft raise the risk of changes.
Does IndiGo or SpiceJet include checked baggage?
SpiceJet domestic fares include one 15 kg checked bag, with excess baggage charged. For IndiGo, check the fare type and rules on its website when you book.
Do IndiGo and SpiceJet serve meals for free?
Not in economy. Both sell food as extras. IndiGo includes complimentary meals only in IndiGoStretch business class on select flights.
About IndiGo Read more
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.
About SpiceJet Read more
Overview
SpiceJet is an Indian low-cost airline headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana. According to Wikipedia, its origins lie in ModiLuft (1994). It was re-founded as SpiceJet in 2004 and began operations on 24 May 2005. Ajay Singh is chairman and managing director. The shares trade on the BSE and NSE. SpiceJet is not a member of any of the three major alliances. Its cargo arm is SpiceXpress.
Network and hubs
Wikipedia lists Delhi and Hyderabad as operating bases and about 35 destinations. The network is mainly Indian domestic routes, including regional UDAN services. It also has some international flights, notably to the Gulf. The corporate schedule page shows services such as Kolkata–Dubai via Delhi. The Wego blog reports a non-stop Ahmedabad–Sharjah route launched in February 2026. It also says that route was not bookable in August 2026.
Fleet
Wikipedia gives a fleet of 54 aircraft in 2026, including Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Q400 turboprops are referred to in the airline's baggage rules. The fleet is not fully active. NewsBytes reported on 14 July 2026 that lessors had started repossessing aircraft after missed lease payments, with about 80% of the fleet grounded. In contrast, the Wego blog says three damp-leased Airbus A320s joined in July 2026 and a grounded 737 MAX returned to service in June. The number of aircraft actually flying changes often.
On board
Detailed cabin, seat pitch, meal and entertainment information could not be confirmed from the sources reviewed. Check the airline's website when booking. As a low-cost carrier, SpiceJet generally sells extras such as meals and seat selection separately.
Good to know
- Baggage: the SpiceJet baggage FAQ says domestic passengers get one free checked bag of up to 15 kg and 158 cm (L+W+H). Ixigo reports a 7 kg cabin bag limit on Boeing aircraft.
- Reliability: the airline has had financial strain and grounded aircraft. Travellers should check flight status before travelling and keep flexible plans.
- Regulation: on 5 October 2026 SpiceJet stated, according to Screener, that a DGCA review was routine and raised no new safety concerns.
- Ownership: the Wego blog mentions a possible Gulf buyout, which was unconfirmed in the sources reviewed.
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