IndiGo launches Manchester to New Delhi flights using Norse Atlantic aircraft
Links on Head for Points may support the site by paying a commission. See here for all partner links.
Indian low cost airline IndiGo is making a foray into long haul flying, with Manchester and Amsterdam as its first European routes.
IndiGo is the largest airline in India and already codeshares with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to provide domestic connections.
IndiGo has long harboured ambitions to fly longer routes, with reports dating back as far as 2017 when it made a play to buy state-owned Air India. This did not work out with Air India being bought by Indian conglomerate TATA instead.
At the time, IndiGo stated it would “enter the international long-haul market” regardless, a promise it is now fulfilling.
Of course, you can’t fly these routes without the appropriate aircraft. In April 2024 the airline announced a firm order for 30 Airbus A350s, with options for a further 70. It is also taking a number of A321XLRs, which should have the legs to fly to at least Central Europe if not further.
These will not arrive until 2027 at the earliest, so in the meantime it is getting creative. It has come to an agreement with Norse Atlantic, the European low cost long haul operator, to ‘damp’ lease at least four of their Boeing 787-9s. A ‘damp’ lease involves Norse providing the plane and some of its crew, whilst IndiGo will provide other staff.
“Collectively, these aircraft will enable IndiGo to make an early entry into the long-haul market and establish itself in Europe while the airline awaits the delivery of its Airbus A321 XLR and A350-900 aircraft from 2027 onwards.”
Flights to New Delhi from Manchester and Amsterdam are “expected to commence in July 2025, subject to completion of all operational preparedness and regulatory approvals.” Tickets do not appear to be on sale yet.
Manchester flights will face no direct competition. IndiGo will become the only airline to fly non-stop from the North of England to India. At least initially, both routes will be operated thrice weekly until IndiGo receives further aircraft from Norse later this year.
What can you expect on IndiGo’s first European routes?
As these flights are being operated by Norse Atlantic under a ‘damp’ lease, you can expect to find the same seating as on a Norse Atlantic flight. That means 56 premium economy seats up front in a 2-3-2 layout with exceptionally generous legroom of 43″. There is no business class.
Here is my review of Premium on Norse Atlantic. In terms of legroom, you won’t find better. This article compares the seat details of Norse Atlantic Premium vs British Airways World Traveller Plus vs Virgin Atlantic Premium.
Behind this are 282 economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout.
As to what the service on board will be like, we’ll have to wait and see; IndiGo has not announced what you can expect in terms of food and drink.
PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.
How to maximise your miles when paying for flights (April 2025)
Some UK credit cards offer special bonuses when used for buying flights. If you spend a lot on airline tickets, using one of these cards could sharply increase the credit card points you earn.
Booking flights on any airline?
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold earns double points (2 Membership Rewards points per £1) when used to buy flights directly from an airline website.
The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points. These would convert to 20,000 Avios or various other airline or hotel programmes. The standard earning rate is 1 point per £1.
You can apply here.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
Buying flights on British Airways?
The British Airways Premium Plus American Express card earns double Avios (3 Avios per £1) when used at ba.com.
The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 30,000 Avios. The standard earning rate is 1.5 Avios per £1.
You do not earn bonus Avios if you pay for BA flights on the free British Airways American Express card or either of the Barclaycard Avios Mastercards.
You can apply here.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
Buying flights on Virgin Atlantic?
Both the free Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard and the annual fee Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard earn double Virgin Points when used at fly.virgin.com.
This means 1.5 Virgin Points per £1 on the free card and 3 Virgin Points per £1 on the paid card.
There is a sign-up bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points on the free card and 18,000 Virgin Points on the paid card.
You can apply for either of the cards here.
Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard
3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard
18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Liz 
Anouj 
BBbetter 
masaccio 
Erico1875 
Phillip 
SM 
TimM 
Bagoly 
Panda Mick 
Simon Jones 
Filipino_Chino 
Ap 
Sun7 
Dev 
AndyC 
BARRY 
Richie 
No longer Entitled 
DanP 
Rob 
Comments (33)