To UK and back on

SpiceJet has announced non-stop flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai with London’s Heathrow airport. The airline is offering an all-inclusive introductory return fare starting at `53,555, and an equally lucrative one-way price.

Nisha Verma

The new connection, starting December 4, 2020 under the air bubble agreement with United Kingdom, will make SpiceJet the first Indian low-cost carrier to operate flights to the UK. The airline is offering an all-inclusive introductory return fare starting at `53,555 (GBP 565) on both Delhi-London-Delhi and Mumbai-London-Mumbai routes. The one-way starting fare will be `25,555 (GBP 270) on Delhi-London and Mumbai-London routes, and `29,555 (GBP 312) on London-Delhi and London-Mumbai routes.

Announcing the new route virtually, Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “SpiceJet has chosen London as its first long-haul destination since it is one of the first international destinations that Indians aspire to fly to. It is, from our perspective, a validation of friendship between UK and India. We aspire to be the enablers of trade and commerce between the two countries, and we want to see how we can help accelerate an exchange of ideas as well as of people between UK and India. Once SpiceJet, being an LCC, starts operations, volumes will increase.” The airline will operate thrice a week to London, including twice from Delhi and once a week from Mumbai.

The flights will be operated on the new twin aisle A330-900 Neo. The Business Class cabin features 18 spacious 75” full flatbed seats and 352 Economy seats. According to Singh, the airline will add some more international long-haul destinations after London.

Also commenting on what made them launch the London flight during COVID-19, Singh said, “While COVID is a huge challenge, we have used it as a huge opportunity. It’s time to build new bridges and relationships, and experiment. SpiceJet has done over 1000 repatriation flights from across the world, including Europe and London.”