IndiGo to launch direct flights from Mumbai to Manchester, Amsterdam in July

MUMBAI: Low-cost carrier IndiGo will launch its first-ever long-haul route from Mumbai on July 01 with thrice a week flights to Manchester, United Kingdom. The flight to Manchester will be operated with a Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner , it will make IndiGo the first carrier to offer a nonstop service between these two cities. Close on heels, is another long-haul destination, Amsterdam which IndiGo plans to connect thrice a week with nonstop flights from Mumbai, starting July 02.

This expansion marks the beginning of IndiGo's international growth, supported by Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Norse, with future plans including A321XLRs and A350 aircraft from 2027. IndiGo added it has arranged to lease four Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Norse Atlantic Airways. The inaugural Norse-operated flight for IndiGo commenced in March 2025 on the Mumbai-Bangkok route. The aircraft features 56 IndiGoStretch seats in a 2x3x2 configuration with 43-inch seat pitch, and 282 economy seats in a 3x3x3 layout with 31-inch seat pitch. The airline said Wednesday that flights are open for booking across channels, including the airline website www.goIndiGo.in, mobile app, and travel partners. "The service will include complimentary hot meals and beverages for all passengers," the airline said in a press statement.

Currently, the only Indian carrier connecting Mumbai to Europe is Air India. Over a decade ago, the now-defunct Indian carriers, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines too offered direct flights from Mumbai to Europe. The non-stop traffic out of Mumbai to Europe is currently handled by Air India and foreign carriers including Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM etc.

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said, “IndiGo’s long-haul foray marks a pivotal moment in our global expansion journey. We are very proud as well as excited to open the sale of our first long-haul service connecting Mumbai with Manchester, a very special route in many ways. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we’re thrilled to announce that specially crafted complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route. The new route will provide seamless connection to a vast majority of 90+ Indian destinations on IndiGo’s domestic network, benefiting customers travelling from Manchester to Mumbai. This service by IndiGo will thereby further enhance connectivity between India and the UK, fostering stronger economic, educational, and cultural ties. Beyond supporting the growing Indian diaspora in the region, these direct flights are expected to boost two-way tourism, ease travel for students, professionals and leisure travellers, and unlock new avenues for bilateral trade and collaboration between the two countries.”

About the Amsterdam flight, Elbers said that the airline is "closely working with Schiphol Airport to provide customers with our quintessential seamless and hassle-free travel experience.."

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said, “Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the world – that is why we are delighted to be announcing this new direct service to Mumbai, and to welcome IndiGo to the UK. This route makes us the only Northern airport with a direct connection to India and cements our position as one of Europe’s best-connected airports. It will link the region to the world’s fastest growing economy, opening up even stronger trade and investment opportunities. It will connect half a million people with Indian heritage who live in Manchester Airport’s catchment area to family and friends, and it will capitalise on the wide-ranging cultural and economic ties that exist. It also comes at a really exciting time for relations between India and the North of England – with a new consulate having opened in Manchester this year and a number of key cultural, sporting, social and economic partnerships being agreed in recent months. And on top of that we have this summer’s England vs India Test series to look forward to. It’s great to see tickets for this exciting route going on sale and I’m really looking forward to welcoming the first passengers in the summer."

The four leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Norse Atlantic Airways features 56 IndiGoStretch seats in a 2x3x2 configuration with 43-inch seat pitch, and 282 economy seats in a 3x3x3 layout with 31-inch seat pitch, the airline said.

"IndiGoStretch passengers will receive complimentary hot meals with premium alcohol from renowned Indian brands. The service includes priority check-in, flexible boarding, advance seat selection, no convenience fees, and increased baggage allowance of 30 kg checked and 12 kg cabin baggage. All passengers will receive complimentary meals, with IndiGoStretch customers enjoying both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included. Economy passengers receive complimentary meals and non-alcoholic beverages, with alcoholic drinks available for purchase. Default vegetarian meals are provided, with non-vegetarian options available through pre-booking," the airline said.