IndiGo inducts India's first Airbus A321XLR

Fast-growing IndiGo has welcomed India’s first A321XLR to its fleet, with CEO Pieter Elbers calling the event “an important milestone as we prepare to redefine long-haul travel for India.”

The airline plans to press the 195-seat aircraft into service on flights from Mumbai to Athens on January 23, followed a day later by a Delhi-Athens jaunt. Both routes will be served thrice weekly with the twinjet.

The first of forty A321XLRs destined for IndiGo, this dual-class A321XLR (registration VT-NLA) has been kitted out with seats from Recaro Aircraft Seating.

The 12-seat IndiGoStretch-branded business class cabin will be familiar to passengers as the 2-2 recliners are based on Recaro’s popular R5 seat — the same platform as found on many of IndiGo’s A321neos, per management’s 2024 decision to offer a truly premium product up front.

However, with a 44” pitch, the seats offer a full six inches more pitch than found on the 38”-pitched R5s aboard the A321neos. That’s important because these extra long-range narrowbodies can open up mid- to long-haul routes for IndiGo.

Passengers in IndiGoStretch should expect a 6” recline, calf rests, a universal power outlet and a USB-C port, plus the cherished winged privacy that is popping up in long-haul premium economy and medium-haul business class cabins on fleets around the world.

Down back, 183 economy class seats are configured 3-3 and are expected to offer both standard and extra legroom options.

Based on Recaro’s R2 reclining slimline, the seating platform (formerly known as the BL3710) is already flying on IndiGo’s new A320neo and A321neo twinjets but IndiGo has chosen a feature-rich version for the A321XLR including adjustable headrests.

Images shared by IndiGo highlight the headrest’s integrated neck support.

A tablet holder and adjacent cup holder can be used even when the tray table is folded away. A USB-C power port and a coat hook on the side of each seatback round out the offering.

Bluebox’s wireless entertainment will be available throughout the aircraft, as previously announced.

“Customers can choose from a wide range of entertainment on their personal devices — including popular Indian and Hollywood films, TV shows, games, anime, and animated series ,” says IndiGo, which does not presently offer inflight connectivity on its aircraft.

With ovens on board the A321XLR, IndiGo plans to offer complimentary hot meals and beverages inspired by local and global flavors to all customers.

“The default meals will be vegetarian, although an option to pre-book non-vegetarian meals will be available at the time of booking,” it says.

“Additionally, alcoholic beverages can be purchased by customers on board the economy cabin or pre-booked and will be offered with compliments to IndiGoStretch customers.”

From a CMF (color, materials and finish) standpoint, IndiGo has paid homage to its signature colors with a very blue-on-blue aesthetic.

But the design choices are also very on-brand for the carrier, which has roots in the no-frills, LCC market. (Look closely and you’ll see a more intricate pattern on the seat covers.)

Nine A321XLRs are expected to be delivered to IndiGo in calendar year 2025. “After its first international induction to operate non-stop services to Athens, subsequent aircraft will be deployed on existing routes such as Istanbul, Turkey and Denpasar, Bali,” says the airline.

“Thereafter incoming deliveries will enable IndiGo to expand to new long-haul routes in Europe and East Asia.”

The largest carrier in India and one of the fastest growing operators in the world, IndiGo is also preparing to accept delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 next year. With the cabin interiors still under wraps, passengers remain ever curious about what IndiGo has in store for them on the widebodies.