Starting off with only three aircraft, SpiceJet has evolved over the years, becoming India’s fourth largest airline flying more than 270 flights daily to 40 destinations including six international cities.
Change has been the cornerstone of SpiceJet’s growth since its inception over two decades ago. Started as Modiluft in 1993, launched by industrialist S.K. Modi in partnership with German carrier Lufthansa, the airline had to cease operations in 1996. After Lufthansa parted with Modiluft due to souring of their business deals, it was later reincarnated as Royal Airlines; however, the airline failed to take off and was passed over to multiple promoters. The jinx was finally broken on May 24, 2005, when SpiceJet operated its maiden flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai. As the years passed, SpiceJet grew and so did its flight operations and has now become one of India’s most preferred low-cost carrier. The airline announced its first international flights from Delhi to Kathmandu and Chennai to Colombo on September 7, 2010.
FLEET
SpiceJet has a total of 34 aircraft with four Boeing 737-900s (providing the maximum seating capacity), 16 Boeing 737-800s with a seating capacity of 186 and 14 Bombardier Q-400s with a seating capacity of 78. The latter is the most technologically advanced aircraft of the airline so far.
QUALITY AND STYLE
Headquartered in Gurgaon, SpiceJet operates its flights from 35 domestic airports and seven international airports, namely, Kabul, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Muscat, Dubai, Colombo and Male. With its relatively lower fares and superior services, it grew to become a preferred low-cost airline, especially for short-to-medium-haul flights in India.
The employees at SpiceJet are trained to be friendly and interactive with the customers to ensure that guests enjoy good service and comfortable flights at affordable rates. To keep guests engaged while flying, the airline has an inflight magazine, Spice Route, that offers information on destinations and details on flight schedules and meal options, among others. The company’s slogan—Red. Hot. Spicy— combines practicality with style.
OTHER SERVICES
The airline also reaches out to its customers with its exclusive category of services. Customers can opt for SpiceMax for services like extra leg-room on board, complimentary meals, priority baggage handling and more by paying an add-on fee. Other services include Priority Check-In, Bag Out First and Carry More On board. With the Carry More On board service, customers can carry an extra five kg in addition to the standard seven kg by paying a nominal charge.
SpiceLounge ensures computer availability, a wi-fi connection, hot shower facilities and much more, depending on whether you are on a domestic or international flight. Customers are given the flexibility to cancel or change tickets as per their need with the My Flexi Plan. Domestic Travinsure gives insurance coverage on unforeseen circumstances that customers might face during their trip such as accidental death and dismemberment, medical reimbursement, trip cancellation, baggage loss, flight delay or any other trip interruption. Spice Assurance offers compensation to customers in case of flight delays, baggage loss, flight cancellations and other inconveniences. They also provide Special Assistance for passengers with limited mobility and senior citizens.
QUICK INFO
SpiceJet recently launched its ‘Fly For Sure’ service to mitigate flight disruptions. It gives customers a guarantee of flying in the next 24 hours in case of a flight delay or a missed flight. The airline also keeps introducing promotional offers coinciding with Indian festivals such as Holi and Diwali to attract new customers and retain existing ones.
