As we reported earlier this week, IndiGo will make additional announcements for its flights between India and Europe, as they align their 787-9 wet leases with their available slots. Now, there are things to tell.
IndiGo’s Boeing 787-9 Operations so far.
IndiGo currently operates a four-times-weekly service between Mumbai and Manchester, which was its first flight launched with the Norse Atlantic 787-9. From there, it launched the Mumbai-Amsterdam service, which is now a six-times-weekly service. Between these two flights, two Boeing 787-9 aircraft leased from Norse Atlantic Airways are being used. You can read our first impressions of the flight here.
IndiGo has announced a new long-haul route from Mumbai to Copenhagen, set to launch on October 8, 2025. The airline will operate thrice-weekly service with Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners wet‑leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. Copenhagen becomes IndiGo’s 44th international destination (138th overall) and marks its debut in Scandinavia.
FlyNorse 787-9 aircraft bearing the IndiGo logo (Image Courtesy delhiplanespotting on Instagram)
IndiGo has also planned to launch flights between Delhi and Manchester, effective November 15, 2025. Flights are scheduled to operate four times weekly, in addition to three times weekly, between Mumbai and Manchester. The arrival at Manchester is similarly timed so that the tweak will be done for departure at Delhi.
IndiGo announces flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow
Last week, IndiGo acquired the slots from Virgin Atlantic on lease for London Heathrow. Today, the announcement for the launch of flights to London Heathrow has been made. IndiGo is set to launch direct, daily flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Europe’s largest aviation hub and the world’s most connected airport. IndiGo’s foray into London, starting October 26, 2025, will be the next significant step in its global expansion strategy, marking London as its second destination in the United Kingdom, following the successful launch of services between Mumbai and Manchester earlier this year.
The flights will be operated daily using IndiGo’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which has been taken on a wet/damp lease from Norse Atlantic Airways. The aircraft features a dual-class configuration, including Economy Class and IndiGo’s tailor-made business product, IndiGoStretch. IndiGo will offer complimentary hot meals and beverages inspired by local and global flavours to all customers on this route. Additionally, alcoholic drinks can be purchased by customers in the Economy cabin and will be offered complimentary to IndiGoStretch customers. All seats feature seatback screens for in-flight entertainment with nearly 300 hours of engaging content. Bookings are now open across all platforms, including www.goIndiGo.in, the mobile app, and authorised travel partners.
Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said,
Entering Heathrow, a key global hub known for its scale and connectivity, is both a proud milestone and a strategic step forward in strengthening IndiGo’s global footprint. The India-United Kingdom corridor has long held significant relevance, not only because of strong bilateral ties, but also due to the growing traffic between the two countries driven by students, visiting friends and relatives, business and leisure travellers.
Ross Baker, Heathrow’s Chief Customer Officer, said,
We are pleased to welcome IndiGo’s new daily service between Mumbai and Heathrow. As the UK’s international gateway, this new route will further strengthen the vital ties between the UK and India, creating opportunities for trade, tourism and cultural exchange. We look forward to supporting IndiGo’s international growth while offering passengers more choice when travelling between these two world-class cities.
LHR’s central geographic location serves as a natural gateway to the UK, Europe, and transatlantic routes, and IndiGo’s entry into Heathrow is poised to offer customers flying between India and Western markets smoother and more direct travel options. The new service will also provide travellers from the west with seamless access to over 90 destinations across IndiGo’s extensive domestic network and many international destinations in South and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and beyond.
Here are the flight timings, which are aligned for an evening arrival and departure from London Heathrow. Not the most optimum, but it’s a start.
I haven’t analysed this yet, but this flight should also help IndiGo start coordinating with Delta and Virgin Atlantic to sell tickets for transfer traffic to the US.
Bottomline
IndiGo has announced its 45th International location, which will be London Heathrow. The airline will operate daily flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow with a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which will be wet/damp leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. The airline will offer IndiGoStretch and an Economy class offering on its flights. The operations will commence on October 26, 2025, at the start of the Northern Winter 2025 Schedule.
What do you think of IndiGo’s ambitions with the launch to London Heathrow?
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It would be preferable to see Indigo introduce service direct to secondary destinations in India such as Amritsar. Since Air India has a monopoly on direct service to these airports alternatives are sorely needed by the diaspora.
Let’s hope it forces BA to improve their Beyond Abysmal treatment of paying customers!
More competition is needed to drive up standards from what was once a globally leading carrier