Indian airline Vistara announced that it will start direct flights between Mumbai and London from January 2022. The airline will operate its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route, and it will be the airline’s first long-haul international destination. Vistara is owned by Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, and it currently operates domestic flights in India as well as some international destinations in Asia.
The direct flights between Mumbai and London will operate three times a week, with departures from Mumbai on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from London on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The flight time will be around nine hours, and the airline is offering introductory fares starting from INR 46,999 (approximately $630) for economy class and INR 89,999 (approximately $1,210) for premium economy.
Vistara’s CEO, Leslie Thng, said that the launch of direct flights to London is a significant milestone for the airline, especially as it has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the airline is looking forward to providing a “seamless flying experience to and from London, that we hope will charm travellers from India and from UK.”
Vistara is joining several other airlines in offering direct flights between Mumbai and London, including Air India, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. However, Vistara is positioning itself as a premium airline, with a focus on offering a high-quality in-flight experience. The airline has won several awards for its services, including Best Airline in India and Central Asia at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
Vistara’s move comes as the aviation industry is slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. International travel has been severely impacted by travel restrictions and border closures, and airlines have been struggling to stay afloat. However, with vaccination programmes rolling out across the world, there are hopes that travel will pick up again in the coming months.
Meanwhile, India continues to be one of the biggest growth markets for aviation. The country’s middle class is expanding, and more people are able to afford air travel. In addition, many international companies are investing in India, which is driving demand for business travel. According to a recent report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India is expected to become the third biggest aviation market in the world by 2024, after China and the United States.
Vistara’s entry into the long-haul international market is a bold move, but the airline may face challenges in a competitive market. It remains to be seen how it will fare against established players like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, both of which have a strong presence in India. However, Vistara’s reputation for quality and service could give it an edge, particularly among premium travellers.
Overall, Vistara’s announcement of direct flights between Mumbai and London is a positive development for the Indian aviation industry, and a sign that the industry is beginning to recover from the pandemic. It is also an indication of the growing importance of air travel both within India and internationally, and a recognition that India’s aviation sector is poised for significant growth in the coming years.