As IndiGo celebrates its 18th anniversary, the airline is marking the occasion with a strategic expansion of its service offerings. Beginning in mid-November, IndiGo will introduce its new ‘Stretch’ business class seats on a selection of flights. This move aims to cater to the growing demand for enhanced travel comfort within India’s busy air travel market.
The ‘Stretch’ seats will initially be available on approximately a dozen routes connecting New Delhi with other major metropolitan areas. Each flight will feature around 12 business class seats, priced at approximately Rs 18,000 each. According to CEO Pieter Elbers, the new product is tailored specifically for the “busiest and business-focused routes,” aiming to deliver a higher level of comfort and service.
Despite the upgrade, some industry experts suggest that the IndiGo Stretch may not fully align with traditional business class standards. Compared to conventional business offerings, IndiGo’s seats provide an improvement over economy class but fall short of the luxury expected on international flights. The seat pitch for IndiGo Stretch is set at 38 inches, slightly less than Air India’s 40 inches. Additionally, IndiGo’s seats recline five inches, a bit shorter than Air India’s seven inches. The width of IndiGo’s seats is 21.3 inches, comparable to Air India’s 21 inches. While the new offering lacks some premium features such as hot meals and lounge access, it provides enhanced comfort with reclining seats and more legroom, alongside curated meal options. This feature could attract local business travellers seeking added comfort on a budget, especially when considering the fare is lower than Air India’s average ticket price of Rs 25,000 for the Delhi-Mumbai route.
The introduction of IndiGo Stretch is anticipated to address the demand for more premium air travel options, evident from the success of Vistara’s premium economy service. Analyst Aman Chowdhary from Motilal Oswal notes a robust market for enhanced travel experiences among well-off passengers in India. CRISIL’s analysis indicates that while there may be initial pressures on profitability due to investment costs, the new business class seats could eventually improve yields and operational profits as pricing adjusts based on demand. IndiGo’s broader ambition involves expanding its international presence. Founder Rahul Bhatia has openly expressed a goal for the airline to double its size by 2030, not just in terms of revenue but also its global footprint. The introduction of business class on domestic routes is seen as a preparatory step for IndiGo’s future international expansion. With its existing loyalty programme, IndiGo BluChip, and a growing market presence, the airline is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the business travel segment, both domestically and internationally.
