IndiGo

IndiGo is India's largest airline by a wide margin, built on a low-cost, high-frequency model that has made it the default way to fly domestically across the country. Its network is dense and point-to-point rather than hub-and-spoke, with a huge single-aisle fleet turning quick sectors between Indian cities and out into the Gulf, Southeast Asia and beyond.

The fleet is deliberately simple, which is part of how IndiGo keeps costs down: a large Airbus A320 and A321 family, a handful of ATR turboprops for the shortest regional routes, and — new to the airline — widebody flying that stretches its reach further. For most passengers that means an all-economy cabin with a consistent, no-frills layout, so the main thing worth checking is the density of the particular aircraft you are booked on.

The published layouts cover the single-aisle Airbus workhorses — the A320 and A320neo, and the A321neo in several densities — plus the ATR 72-600 turboprop and the newer Boeing 787-9 widebody.

Nearly all of these are single-class economy in a three-by-three layout, and the A321neos in particular come in a range of seat counts as IndiGo tunes density to the route. The exception is the A321neo flown in the IndiGoStretch fit, which adds a genuine two-by-two business-style cabin at the front — a real recliner product rather than a blocked middle seat. The ATR is a smaller regional turboprop with a mix of two-by-two and single-side seating, and the 787-9 brings a two-cabin widebody layout with a dedicated premium section ahead of a three-three-three economy.

On the narrowbodies IndiGo is a clean, efficient economy product: a consistent three-by-three cabin, quick turnarounds and a buy-on-board model rather than complimentary catering. The seats are modern and the cabins are kept tidy, which is a big part of the airline's reputation for reliability on short domestic sectors.

The IndiGoStretch A321neo is the airline stepping up: a two-by-two cabin at the front with proper extra space and recline, aimed at the busier business routes. The 787-9 widebody adds a longer-haul dimension with a separate premium cabin, while the ATR turboprop is a short regional hop where the draw is frequency and network reach rather than cabin comfort.

Because most IndiGo aircraft are single-class economy, the choice comes down to position. The rows beside the over-wing exits are the ones to seek out for legroom, while the last rows ahead of the rear galley and lavatory are best avoided for noise and traffic. Window seats give you something to lean on for a short sector; aisles are the pick if you want to be up and out quickly on a quick turnaround.

On the IndiGoStretch A321neo, the front two-by-two cabin is the clear pick for space if the fare suits. On the 787-9 the premium cabin is worth it for a longer sector, and in economy the usual advice holds — favour the forward rows over the very back near the galleys. Since the A321neo turns up in several densities, checking the published layout tells you how tight your particular aircraft is before you choose.