India’s biggest airline, IndiGo, on Wednesday, January 7, reached a significant milestone for the Indian aviation industry with the delivery of their first Airbus A321XLR to Delhi. IndiGo is now the first airline to operate the Airbus A321neo Long Range aircraft in the Indian carrier’s fleet.
The plane touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport earlier today, marking another chapter for international growth plans by Indian budget airline IndiGo.
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What is the Airbus A321XLR?
The Airbus A321 XLR is described as the next generation of narrow-body aircraft, capable of meeting the needs of long-haul flights. The aircraft has been estimated to have a range of about 8,700 km. It has been touted to have better fuel efficiency.
IndiGo’s A321XLR offers a dual-class layout, comprising 12 IndiGoStretch seats and 183 economy seats, both equipped with RECARO seating designed for improved comfort on long international flights.
IndiGo took to their social media account, sharing the touchdown moment, writing, "Touchdown in Delhi! India's first A321 XLR has finally made its way home. #golndiGo #A321XLR."
New non-stop routes to Athens
The aircraft will make its international debut with direct flights between India and Greece. IndiGo is set to launch direct flights from Mumbai International Airport to Athens on Jan 23, 2026, while flights from Delhi International Airport begin on January 24, 2026. Both routes operate three days a week.
The airline reported that such routes were, before the A321XLR, not easily serviced by single-isle aircraft.
Delivery plans and future deployment
IndiGo has a firm order for a total of 40 Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Of these aircraft, nine will arrive in 2026. Following the initial routes in Athens, these aircraft will operate on existing international routes such as Istanbul in Turkey and Bali in Indonesia.
What IndiGo and Airbus said
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said, 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. 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."
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"We are happy to partner with Airbus and RECARO on this journey as we combine next-generation aircraft performance, enhanced fuel efficiency, and a thoughtfully designed cabin environment to deliver a comfortable, onboard experience," he further added.
Jürgen Westermeier, President & Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia, said, "The arrival of the first A321XLR marks a new milestone in our journey with IndiGo and a proud moment for Indian aviation."
He added, "Opening up mid-to-long-haul routes that were previously unreachable by single-aisle aircraft, this delivery serves as a catalyst for IndiGo's international growth while significantly enhancing India’s global connectivity. The A321XLR will act as a bridge, linking Indian cities to new destinations across the world and further support India’s ambition to become a global aviation hub."
