Aviation

IndiGo’s Expansion Plan: Launching 7 New International Destinations

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is poised to significantly enhance its global presence by adding seven new international destinations within the current financial year.

This expansion was announced by CEO Pieter Elbers during an event in New Delhi, marking the airline’s 18th anniversary of operations.

Currently, IndiGo operates over 2,000 flights daily, connecting approximately 120 destinations worldwide, including 33 international cities. The airline recently revealed plans to commence flights to Jaffna, Sri Lanka, marking its second destination in the country after Colombo.

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affna will become IndiGo’s 34th international and 122nd overall destination, with bookings for this route having started on August 1, 2024.

With these new additions, IndiGo will expand its international network to over 40 destinations. The airline’s ambitious growth strategy also includes the introduction of business class service, aiming to cater to a broader spectrum of travelers and enhance its competitive edge in the aviation sector.

IndiGo is also preparing for long-term expansion with an order of 30 wide-bodied A350-900 aircraft, scheduled for delivery from 2027, and options for an additional 70 aircraft. This fleet expansion will support the airline’s efforts to boost international and intercontinental services.

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Currently operating over 400 routes, including 34 international destinations, IndiGo’s new route launches and the addition of business class service reflect its strategic vision to broaden its market reach and strengthen its position in the global aviation industry. indigo flight seat map

Recently, IndiGo has partnered with RECARO Aircraft Seating to enhance its upcoming A321neo aircraft with the award-winning R5 seats in business class. The RECARO R5 seats will provide advanced comfort with a 38-inch pitch and a customized ergonomic design, while also being lightweight and functional. In addition, the economy class will be equipped with RECARO R2 seats.

Deliveries of the aircraft are set to start in Q4 2024, and the installation of all business class seats is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.