At a time when economy rates are climbing through the roof, IndiGo is offering a 50 per cent discount on business class seats in a three-day flash sale. Fliers can get one way business class tickets on the airline for as low as ₹9,999 on key metro routes.
While the airline on Tuesday said it wants to make the business cabin accessible to a wider customer base, thin loads may have prompted the move.
Tailor-made product
The airline introduced a tailor-made business product called IndiGoStretch on Delhi-Mumbai route last November with an inaugural one-way fare of ₹18,000. The product has now been extended to flights from Delhi to Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad and between Mumbai and Bengaluru. The airline operates 113 two-way daily flights on these routes.
Sources say IndiGoStretch has a limited uptake, and the airline is finding it challenging to sell premium seats on routes other than Delhi-Mumbai.
Others believe the limited offer could be a strategy to test different price points as the airline competes with Air India for premium class traffic.
The discounted tickets which are available for sale till May 9 are applicable for travel seven days from the purchase date. Apart from domestic routes, the discounted seats are available on IndiGo’s Delhi-Bangkok route operated by wet leased Boeing 787 aircraft.
IndiGo did not respond to an email query on the topic.
IndiGo’s business class cabin comprises 12 seats with 54 cm width and 12 cm recline. Customers get a higher baggage allowance, priority check in and boarding, complimentary meal box curated by Oberoi Flights Services among other benefits.
While IndiGoStretch product is priced lower than Air India’s business class seats ( AI’s lowest business class fare on Delhi-Mumbai route is ₹27,000), it has so far not gained much traction. “A business class traveller expects frills like hot towels, hot meals or lounge access. IndiGo doesn’t offer that,” said an industry executive.
Air India operates its Airbus A320 aircraft in a three-class configuration (8 business, 24 premium economy and 132 economy seats). The airline is pricing its premium economy seats ₹1,000-2,000 higher than economy to drive occupancy. Unlike IndiGo, Air India also benefits from its extensive codeshare partnerships and is able to get more connecting passengers on its domestic business routes.