During a recent trip from Delhi to Bengaluru on an IndiGo flight, I gazed out at the sleek Airbus A320neo and wondered about the variety of planes crisscrossing India’s skies. This experience inspired me to explore the aircraft flown by major Indian airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet in 2025. From narrow-body workhorses to wide-body giants, here’s a deep dive into their fleets, packed with insights for aviation enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.
Table of Contents
Air India’s Aircraft Fleet
As of June 2025, Air India operates a diverse fleet of 190 aircraft, blending narrow-body and wide-body planes to serve domestic and international routes. Following its merger with Vistara and privatization under the Tata Group, Air India has modernized its fleet with a $70 billion order for 470 new aircraft. Its current lineup includes:
- Airbus A319: Used for short-haul domestic routes.
- Airbus A320/A320neo: Backbone for domestic and regional flights.
- Airbus A321/A321neo: Deployed on high-demand short-haul international routes.
- Airbus A350: New addition for long-haul flights to destinations like the U.S. and Southeast Asia.
- Boeing 777: Operates long-haul routes, including Delhi to New York.
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Fuel-efficient for international routes like London and Toronto.
Air India’s $400 million refit program is upgrading older planes with new cabins and liveries, enhancing passenger comfort by mid-2025.
IndiGo’s Aircraft Fleet
IndiGo, India’s largest airline with a 64.1% market share, operates a fleet of 437 aircraft as of June 2025. Known for its all-Airbus narrow-body dominance, IndiGo has nearly 1,000 aircraft on order to fuel its expansion. Its fleet includes:
- Airbus A320-200/A320neo: The A320neo, with over 160 units, is India’s most-used plane, serving high-demand routes like Delhi-Mumbai.
- Airbus A321neo: Features IndiGo Stretch business class on premium routes.
- ATR 72-600: Regional turboprop for smaller cities like Madurai.
- Airbus A321-200/P2F: Dedicated freighters for IndiGo CarGo.
- Wet-leased Boeing 777/787: Temporary additions for long-haul routes to Europe and Doha.
IndiGo’s focus on fuel-efficient A320neo aircraft and a 20-minute turnaround time keeps costs low, cementing its market lead.
IndiGo operates the Airbus A320 CEO & NEO, the A321 NEO and the ATR 72-600 aircraft. The seating capacity on the A320 CEO fleet is 180 , A-320 NEO fleet is 180 /186 the A321 fleet is 222/232 and ATR Fleet is 78.
SpiceJet’s Aircraft Fleet
SpiceJet, a low-cost carrier with a 4% market share, operates a fleet of 62 aircraft as of January 2025, though only 28 are operational due to financial challenges. The airline plans to unground 30 planes by 2026 and expand to 100 aircraft. Its fleet comprises:
- Boeing 737: Includes 737 MAX for domestic and short-haul international routes.
- Bombardier Q400: Turboprop for regional routes like Jalandhar-Jaipur.
- Leased Airbus A320: Two aircraft added to boost capacity.
SpiceJet’s premium SpiceMax service, available on ex-Jet Airways 737s, offers extra legroom and priority boarding. Despite setbacks, the airline aims to double its fleet by 2026.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpiceJet)Other Indian Airlines
Beyond the big three, other Indian carriers contribute to the aviation landscape:
- Air India Express: Operates Boeing 737 MAX for budget international and domestic routes.
- Akasa Air: A new entrant with 27 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, planning to add 200 more.
- Alliance Air: Uses ATR 72-600 for regional connectivity under Air India’s umbrella.
India’s aviation market, the world’s third-largest, saw over 14 million passengers in March 2025, driven by these carriers’ diverse fleets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of aircraft does Air India have?
As of June 2025, Air India operates eight types of aircraft: Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo, A350, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787.
What are the 4 types of aircraft?
The four main types of aircraft used by Indian airlines are narrow-body (e.g., Airbus A320, Boeing 737), wide-body (e.g., Boeing 777, Airbus A350), regional turboprops (e.g., ATR 72-600), and freighters (e.g., Airbus A321-200/P2F).
Which aircraft is mostly used in India?
The Airbus A320neo is the most used aircraft in India, especially by IndiGo, which operates over 160 of these fuel-efficient narrow-body planes.
What type of aircraft does IndiGo use?
IndiGo operates Airbus A320-200, A320neo, A321neo, ATR 72-600 for passengers, and A321-200/P2F for cargo, plus wet-leased Boeing 777 and 787.
Which aircraft does SpiceJet use?
SpiceJet operates Boeing 737 (including 737 MAX), Bombardier Q400, and leased Airbus A320 aircraft.
Why is IndiGo called 6E?
IndiGo’s airline code '6E' is derived from its IATA code, assigned for ticketing and operational purposes. The exact reason for '6E' is not publicly detailed, but it’s a unique identifier for the airline.
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