IndiGo, India's largest airline, has achieved a significant milestone in its international expansion strategy by becoming the first Indian carrier to induct the Airbus A321XLR into its fleet. The long-range, narrow-body aircraft arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This induction marks IndiGo's foray into long-haul, narrow-body operations, with plans to deploy the aircraft on non-stop services connecting Mumbai and Delhi to Athens, starting January 23 and 24, 2026, respectively. Both routes will operate with a thrice-weekly frequency.
Key Features of the Airbus A321XLR
The Airbus A321XLR is the latest evolution of the A321neo family, designed to offer an "Xtra Long Range" of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km). This represents a 15% increase over the A321LR. The A321XLR also boasts enhanced fuel efficiency, enabling airlines to operate longer international routes while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The aircraft has a maximum flight time of eleven hours.
A key difference between the A321XLR and the A321neo is the inclusion of a permanent Rear Centre Tank (RCT) which can hold approximately 12,900 liters of fuel. The maximum take-off weight (MTOW) has also increased to 101.5 tonnes. The A321XLR's enhanced range and fuel efficiency will allow IndiGo to connect Indian cities to new destinations across Europe and East Asia.
IndiGo's A321XLR Configuration and Passenger Experience
IndiGo's A321XLR is configured in a dual-class layout, featuring 12 "IndiGoStretch" seats and 183 Economy Class seats. The IndiGoStretch seats, are in a 2x2 configuration with a 44-inch seat pitch and a 6-inch recline. The Economy cabin offers a 31-inch seat pitch and a 5-inch recline. Both classes feature ergonomically designed RECARO seating.
To enhance the passenger experience on these long-duration flights, IndiGo has partnered with Bluebox to provide a next-generation digital inflight entertainment (IFE) system. Passengers can access a wide range of Indian and international films, TV shows, games, anime, and animated content on their personal devices. Complimentary hot meals and beverages, inspired by local and global flavors, will also be served on these routes, with vegetarian meals offered by default and non-vegetarian options available for pre-booking.
Future Deployment and Expansion Plans
IndiGo has a firm order of 40 A321XLR aircraft, with nine expected to be delivered in calendar year 2026. Following its initial deployment on the Athens routes, subsequent aircraft will operate on existing routes such as Istanbul and Denpasar (Bali). Future deliveries will support the airline's expansion into new long-haul markets across Europe and East Asia.
"IndiGo is honoured to be the first Indian airline to welcome the Airbus A321XLR into its fleet, an important milestone as we prepare to redefine long-haul travel for India," said Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo. "The advanced capabilities of this aircraft enable us to reach newer regions across the globe and further strengthen India's position as a key player in international aviation. This reinforces our commitment to giving wings to the nation by connecting it to the world."
With a current fleet of over 400 aircraft and nearly 900 aircraft on order, including A320NEO, A321NEO and A321XLR, IndiGo is poised to expand its extensive network and solidify its position as a leading global airline.
