Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo becomes India’s first operator of the Airbus A321XLR after taking delivery of the first aircraft of this type on January 7, 2026.
The aircraft is the first of 69 aircraft of this type ordered by IndiGo from Airbus. These A321XLRs are part of the airline’s successive mega-orders, which have brought its order book with the European aircraft manufacturer close to the 1,000-aircraft mark.
IndiGo has bet on the A321XLR as an important asset to implement its ambitious international expansion strategy. This narrowbody aircraft will enable the Indian carrier to open new markets throughout the Indian Ocean rim, East and Central Asia, Africa.
The A321XLR is also expected to play a major role in boosting air links between Europe and India, since its range allows it to reach large swathes of the continent from IndiGo’s hubs in Delhi and Mumbai.
The A321XLR willcomplement IndiGo’s future A350-900 fleet by operating thinner long-haul routes and making it possible to add more frequencies to certain international destinations.
In fact, Athens (ATH), Greece, will be the first international destination served by IndiGo’s A321XLR. Starting on January 23, 2026, IndiGo will deploy the aircraft on nonstop flights between the Greek capital and both Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM), establishing what in IndiGo’s CEO Pieter Elbers words, a direct link between two of the world’s oldest civilizations.
IndiGo’s A321XLR will be fitted with 195 seats, including 12 “Stretch” ones (IndiGo’s business class).