Indian airline IndiGo has commenced operations on its first direct long-haul route with flights between Mumbai in India and Manchester in the United Kingdom. The airline, which is aiming to establish itself on a global stage, is the only one serving a direct route between India and Manchester.
Routes served through Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft
IndiGo will serve these routes using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. It will offer improved onboard amenities and service on these direct flights. IndiGo acquired the aircraft on a wet lease from Norse Atlantic Airways. Earlier this year, it acquired six Dreamliner aircraft on wet lease from the company to further its expansion plan.
These routes have been established to further IndiGo’s global ambition as part of its strategy – ‘Towards New Heights and across New Frontiers.’
Three weekly flights will operate on this route between Mumbai and Manchester. Indigo flight 6E 0031 will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing at 4:25 a.m. local time from the Mumbai Airport. Flight 6E 0032 from Manchester to Mumbai will operate on the same days, departing at 12:05 p.m. local time from the Manchester airport.
For the Mumbai-Amsterdam route, flight 6E 0021 will fly from Mumbai on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing at 5:25 a.m. local time. Flights from Amsterdam to Mumbai will also fly on the same days, departing from the Amsterdam airport at 2:00 p.m. local time.
Flight Amenities
The aircraft serving the routes will have a two-class cabin configuration. There are 56 IndiGo Stretch seats on the plane, while the Economy class comprises 282 seats. The airline will provide around 300 hours of in-flight entertainment, along with complimentary hot meals and beverages from Indian brands.
Commenting on the Mumbai-Manchester flight launch, Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said:
“As we embark on our long-haul journey with the launch of direct flights between Mumbai and Manchester, this moment marks our transition from a successful regional carrier to one with growing global relevance.”
Elbers further said:
“This milestone is also a reflection of IndiGo’s growing global ambition and its contribution to India’s emergence as a global aviation hub. We are confident that this route will not only serve the large diaspora but also strengthen the economic and cultural ties between the two countries.”
IndiGo was recently named the ‘Best Airline in India and South Asia’ by Skytrax at the World Airline Awards 2025.
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