IndiGo Unlocks New Delhi-London Heathrow Route with Boeing 787 Service

India's largest airline, IndiGo, has announced a major expansion of its long-haul network.

The carrier will launch new direct flights between Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). This new IndiGo Delhi London Heathrow service begins on February 2, 2026. The route will operate five times a week, significantly boosting capacity between the two global capitals.

Strategic Long-Haul Market Entry

This move is a crucial step in IndiGo's ambitious IndiGo international expansion strategy. The airline is transitioning from a regional low-cost carrier to a global player. The new service complements IndiGo's existing daily direct flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow. With this addition, IndiGo will offer a total of 12 weekly flights to London. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers noted the new service supports growing demand for commerce, tourism, and visiting friends and family.

Aircraft and Leasing Details

To facilitate this long-haul operation, IndiGo will deploy a Boeing 787 aircraft. This widebody jet is being secured via a wet/damp lease agreement from Norse Atlantic Airways. The arrangement allows IndiGo to quickly enter the long-haul market. It serves as a bridge until the airline receives its firm order of 30 Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft, expected to begin delivery in 2027.

The leased Boeing 787 Norse Atlantic aircraft will feature a dual-class configuration. Passengers will have a choice between the premium IndiGoStretch and Economy Class seating. This dual-class layout is designed to appeal to a broader range of travelers. It offers both budget-friendly options and enhanced comfort for the long-haul journey.

Strengthening India-UK Connectivity

The Delhi-London Heathrow sector is a high-demand route. Industry data from July 2025 showed the Delhi-London Heathrow route offered 133,000 seats, making it a top international corridor. The overall international market from India grew by 8.1% year-on-year. This expansion addresses the rising demand for India-UK direct flights driven by strong economic, educational, and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) ties.

• Flight Schedule: The Delhi to London flight (6E 0003) will operate on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The return flight (6E 0004) will operate on the same days.
• Wider Network Growth: The new London service follows IndiGo's recent international launches from Delhi to Denpasar (Bali), Krabi, Hanoi, Guangzhou, and Manchester. Direct flights to Athens are also set to begin in January 2026.

Industry Impact and Competition

This aggressive long-haul market entry by IndiGo intensifies competition on the lucrative India-UK corridor. Air India and British Airways are also scaling up their operations. British Airways, for instance, is reportedly considering a third daily service between London Heathrow and New Delhi in 2026. The competition is beneficial for passengers, offering more choices and potentially lowering fares on this key route. The use of a wet/damp lease agreement highlights the changing regulatory environment in India, which is relaxing rules to support the growth of domestic airlines. This is crucial given the global supply constraints for new aircraft. This development is a key piece of commercial aviation news and signals a new era for Indian carriers. [https://flying.flights]

• The new service increases IndiGo's weekly London capacity to 12 flights.
• The Boeing 787 lease is a strategic temporary solution until the Airbus A350 fleet arrives.
• The expansion directly targets the high-growth India-UK VFR and business travel segments.
• All flight times are local and remain subject to final regulatory approvals from the DGCA and UK authorities.