Are you thinking of booking a cheap flight with IndiGo? Here is some feedback and information on the airline that you should read before booking.
I recently travelled with IndiGo from Istanbul (Turkey) to Bangkok (Thailand) via Mumbai (India).
Booking 1 month in advance, IndiGo were £400 cheaper than the next cheapest indirect flight, and £700 cheaper than the cheapest direct flight. So there are some big savings to be had there – but is there a reason IndiGo are so cheap? I booked the flight via booking.com new airfare sales feature – I paid £314 for a one way flight.
Pre-Departure with IndiGo
It didn’t get off to a good start with IndiGo. Accessing my booking via their website was problematic. Sometimes it would let me access, but then not be able to add / change anything. Other times it would say my booking is not valid (causing a panic) – but I soon gathered that the website is just very glitchy.
I wanted to pre-book my seats to get the emergency exit seats. For a long-haul flight, the exit seats were ridiculously cheap (around £30 total for both sectors of my flight).
Unfortunately, their website only accepts Indian credit cards and I was unable to pre-book these lovely cheap exit seats. I had to let them select my seat for me for free, and was given a window seat for both sectors of my flight.
It was so frustrating seeing that the extra leg rooms seats were so reasonably priced with IndiGo, and not being able to book them.
Check in at Istanbul Airport with IndiGo
IndiGo only had around 4 open check-in desks at Istanbul Airport, but I arrived 3 hours before my flight departure, and there was no queue (despite it being a full flight).
Check-in was fast and efficient. The check-in guy looked shocked I only had one bag to pop in the hold. Indian travellers mustn’t travel as light as me. You do get 30kg check in baggage for long haul routes, which is very generous.
Whenever I fly from the UK to Bangkok on a one way ticket, the airport staff always say I need to show them evidence of a flight out of Bangkok. Flying from Turkey, this wasn’t asked for, so I regretted buying my throwaway onward ticket.
Security at Istanbul Airport was so fast and efficient, especially compared to what I am used to at Manchester Airport.
Istanbul Airport Lounge for IndiGo Airlines
There is no airport lounge specifically for IndiGo Airlines at Istanbul airport. I highly recommend pre-booking the lounge at Istanbul Airport as they are either full or double the price to pay on arrival.
What is it like to fly with IndiGo Airlines?
Flying with IndiGo Airlines was the most uncomfortable and unbearable long-haul flight I have experienced.
- The seats are hard and uncomfortable, after 2 hours flying, my bum felt like I had been sat at a bus stop for 8 hours, not on a long-haul flight for 2 hours.
- There is no entertainment: very strange for a long haul flight to have no entertainment, but IndiGo have no seat back entertainment at all. This really is a low cost experience.
- I had to do a long haul flight without any food or drink. I did my research and therefore knew that there was no included food or drinks included. I presumed in 2023, I would be able to buy on board with my debit card. The choice of food that you can buy is shockingly bad (think pot noodle or sandwich) – and they only accepted either Rupees, Euros or Indian Credit cards. I had pounds sterling or UK cards – so I was forced to do a long haul flight without any food or drink!
Transit in Mumbai with IndiGo Airlines
Getting off my first sector from Istanbul to Mumbai, I was starving and thirsty. The transit procedure in Mumbai, was disorganised chaos. The security staff at Mumbai airport were slow, childish and unprofessional.
What should have taken around 30 mins, actually took around 1.30 hours. Good job I had 3 hours to connect. I don’t recommend transiting Mumbai airport unless you have over 3 hours. They only had our flight to contend with, I dread to think how they would cope if several flights landed at the same time.
They split the men and women into 2 different queues, which made no sense when about 85% of the passengers were men – and a man was checking the women anyway.
There were lots of arguments and uproar as they confiscated peoples electronic cigarettes and lighters. One lady was crying, saying hers cost her $300 – they can’t just bin it. I suppose rules are rules, but it would have been nice for IndiGo to warn passengers to pack these in the hold.
Transiting Mumbai is to be avoided at all cost, if possible.
Do you need a Visa to transit India with IndiGo?
With a UK passport, you do not need a visa to transit India. You only need a Visa if you need to pass through security to the luggage area. If in transit and you have a UK passport, you do not need a visa.
Would I fly with IndiGo airlines again?
After reading how horrendous I found my flight with IndiGo – you may be shocked to read that I wouldn’t completely rule them out as an airline again.
In order for me to consider them again though, they would again need to be at least £400 cheaper than any alternatives. I think for £400, it is worth grinning and bearing the flight. Any less of a saving than that – no chance!
If I was to fly with them again, I would make sure that I take plenty of snacks / food with me on the flight. Also I would ensure that I have some Euros to buy a drink or two (I would stick to coffee though, a beer cost 10 euros!)
I would also make sure that I had a tablet with plenty of movies and books on, to make up for their lack of entertainment.
The most positive thing about the journey was the other passengers. Everyone was very quiet and respectful, throughout the uncomfortable flight. I suppose having no free alcohol does have some benefits. The other passengers were 98% Indian, with the rest made up of hippy backpacker types.
Further questions about IndiGo
If you have any further quesitons about flying with indiGo / 6E – please comment below.
Post written by Travel Agent Kevin @ Travology Travel
