Indian airline Vistara is set to launch a second route to Europe on February 18th. Following the roll-out of flights to London, the airline will commence twice-weekly flights to Frankfurt, Germany's aviation capital, under the transport bubble in place between India and Germany.

2020 saw a range of exciting arrivals at Frankfurt Airport. Indeed, the airport has welcomed many airlines worldwide that don't usually fly to the airport, such as Bamboo Airways, Air New Zealand, and Qantas.

Even those that usually fly to Frankfurt have sent some exciting flights, such as South African Airways with the A320 and British Airways with the 787. Now, Vistara is to send the Boeing 787. However, this will be part of a new, regularly scheduled flight.

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Delhi to Frankfurt

From February 18th, Vistara's Boeing 787s start flying to Frankfurt twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays. The launch of the new route will complement the airline's flights to London from Delhi and Mumbai. While multiple origins serve London, only Delhi will serve Frankfurt for the time being, with the following schedule,

  • Flight UK 25 will depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi at 03:30. Following an eight-hour 55-minute flight, the Boeing 787 will arrive in Frankfurt (FRA) at 07:55.
  • At 12:40, Flight UK 26 will depart Frankfurt. After a shorter seven-hour 40-minute flight, it will touch down in Delhi at 00:50 the next day.
Vistara, Delhi, Frankfurt
The flight to Frankfurt is scheduled to take around nine hours. Photo: FlightRadar24.com

Commenting on the route launch, Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said,

“As a key gateway to Germany and an ever-thriving metropolis that is a global hub of finance, commerce and trade, Frankfurt is another significant addition to our route network that also strengthens our presence in Europe."

Vistara, Delhi, Frankfurt
Flights to Frankfurt will launch on February 18th. Photo: Vistara

Competition

Vistara will have competition when it comes to the route from Delhi to Frankfurt, with two existing airlines already serving the route. Lufthansa is operating four flights a week to Delhi with an Airbus A340-300 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Meanwhile, Lufthansa's Star Alliance partner Air India operates five weekly flights with the Boeing 787 departing Delhi on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Interestingly, Lufthansa's return from Delhi departs just five minutes after Vistara's on Thursday, while Air India's Delhi-Frankfurt flight departs five minutes before Vistara's on Saturday. As such, while there are more options, passengers don't get more flexibility regarding departure times from the new route.

Vistara, Delhi, Frankfurt
Lufthansa and Air India already operate the route at similar times. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

Inside Vistara's Boeing 787

Vistara's only long-haul aircraft, the 787-9 is fitted with three separate cabins. At the front of the plane is the business class cabin. Here, 30 lie-flat business class Stelia seats are arranged in a 1-2-1. The seats come with an 18-inch touchscreen IFE monitor.

Vistara, Delhi, Frankfurt
The business class cabin contains lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Photo: Vistara

Behind business is a small premium economy cabin with three rows of seats in a 2-3-2 layout. Vistara has opted for a RECARO seat in this cabin, which com with a seven-inch recline, adjustable calf and footrests, and a six-way adjustable headrest. For in-flight entertainment, passengers in this cabin get a 13-inch touchscreen.

Vistara, Delhi, Frankfurt
The mix of Live TV and international cricket matches involving India might turn the 787 into a mini-stadium. Photo: Vistara

Last but not least, at the rear of the cabin is the economy cabin. The cabin contains 248 seats in a 3-3-3 layout, again manufactured by RECARO. These seats come equipped with 31 inches of pitch, a five-inch recline, and a 12-inch IFE monitor.

Vistara, Delhi, Frankfurt
At the rear of the aircraft is the airline's 3-3-3 economy cabin with 248 seats. Photo: Vistara

Are you excited to see Vistara expand its long-haul network to Frankfurt? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!