The battle for the skies heats up this week as Vistara undertakes its final flight on Monday before its merger with Air India, while rival IndiGo prepares to launch its business class service on Thursday.
Vistara’s last domestic service, Flight UK986, will depart from Mumbai to Delhi at 10:50 pm, while its final international flight, UK115, will leave New Delhi for Singapore at 11:45 pm, both on November 11.
“Thank you for being part of this unforgettable journey and showering us with your #VistaraLove. We will forever cherish these memories. Please follow @airindia for all the latest updates,” Vistara said in a post on X.
Founded in 2015, Vistara quickly rose to prominence in India’s premium travel segment, filling a gap left by Jet Airways’ 2019 collapse.
Backed by Singapore Airlines, the carrier introduced flatbed seats and premium economy cabins, setting new standards for service and earning a loyal following among business travelers.
Its discontinuation has left flyers disheartened despite assurances from Air India that it will maintain Vistara’s service quality.
In the first month after the merger, Air India expects to accommodate 115,000 pre-booked Vistara passengers.
Some 270,000 Vistara customers have already transitioned to Air India’s booking system, while 4.5 million members of Vistara’s Club are being moved to Air India’s newly rebranded ‘Maharaja Club.’
Vistara’s existing routes, schedules, in-flight products, services and crew members remain unchanged, maintaining service continuity for passengers.
Air India has outlined detailed integration plans, including renumbering Vistara flights with new four-digit codes starting with “2,” integrating airport ticketing services and implementing customer support kiosks across major airports to ensure continuity and service ease. The merger also grants Singapore Airlines a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India.
Air India’s CEO Campbell Wilson said Vistara’s premium offerings will persist under Air India’s management, highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure “seamless transition” for passengers and staff.
Meanwhile, IndiGo is set to roll out its business class, branded IndiGoStretch, on select Delhi-Mumbai routes starting Thursday, with plans to expand to 12 destinations.
Ticket prices will be approximately 30 per cent lower than Air India’s business class, making a Delhi-Mumbai journey cost around ₹26,000.IndiGoStretch will offer coupe-style seating, premium meals curated by Oberoi Flight Services and features such as a six-way adjustable headrest, a 38-inch seat pitch and additional baggage allowances.
IndiGo’s move has been met with scepticism from some aviation analysts, who argue the product may not meet expectations for a premium service.
“IndiGoStretch is best described as ‘budget-elite’ rather than premium,” said analyst Mark Martin, suggesting the airline’s efforts to position itself in the premium market might prove challenging.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said all Delhi-Mumbai flights will operate on IndiGoStretch by January 2025, with the service expanded to Bengaluru and Chennai by March.
