New budget flights set to make long-haul holiday destination much cheaper
Plus, the interesting new feature for women on IndiGo flights
A HOLIDAY to India about to become a whole lot cheaper.
Budget airline IndiGo has revealed they are hoping to launch flights to Europe with some starting this summer.
India isn’t a currently a big hotspot for British tourists, but it could well be on the cards.
Budget Indian airline, IndiGo, which is India‘s largest passenger airline, are planning to launch flights to Europe.
Currently, they have 88 domestic in India and 34 international routes.
IndiGo are set to lease a Boeing 787 from Norse Atlantic for a term of six months – but this could potentially be increased to 18 months.
The plane leased from Norse is due to start flying for IndiGo in March 2025, on long-haul routes out of India.
The airline is also reportedly hiring staff for the upcoming launch including an airport manager and security at London Heathrow, Paris and Amsterdam for this summer season.
IndiGo said: “Currently IndiGo operates primarily domestic and regional short- to medium-haul services out of India but is in the process of expanding its global reach by adding long haul services.”
They added that to support their expansion they had ordered “30 Airbus 350-900 wide body aircraft with an option for additional 70 aircraft, with deliveries expected to commence from 2027.”
IndiGo flies to lots of locations including Australia, Bahrain, Maldives, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
From the UK, you can travel to India with the likes of Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Virgin Atlantic.
Air India is one of the biggest airlines operating to India and offer a number of flights to the country.
A flight from London Gatwick to Mumbai costs from £318, and a flight to Ahmedabad could set you back anything from £326.
Air India also flies from London and Manchester to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Goa.
India is often overlooked by Brits in favour of trips to Thailand instead.
However, there are lots of incredible tourist spots in India like Delhi, Agra and Jaipur which are cities in a near perfect triangle in the north of the country and make up the Golden Triangle.
Goa has become increasingly popular, known for its beautiful beaches and, of course, sunny weather.
The state on the southern coast of India stays between 25C and 30C all year round.
TUI has a number of holiday packages to the Indian coastline.
Here’s how to do a holiday in Goa.
Flying IndiGo has a new feature for women
With IndiGo airline, women can choose which gender they sit next to...
A representative from the company said: “IndiGo is proud to announce the introduction of a new feature that aims to make the travel experience more comfortable for our female passengers.
“This has been introduced basis market research and is currently in pilot mode aligning with our #GirlPower ethos.
“The feature offers visibility of seats booked by female passengers, only during web check-in.
“It is specifically tailored to PNRs with women travellers – solo as well as part of family bookings.”
The change that came in August 2024 happened after IndiGo ticket holders previously expressed the desire to sit next to the same gender due to religious beliefs.