SpiceJet (ICAO: SEJ) Airline: Comprehensive Information
SpiceJet is an Indian low-cost airline headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana. Its origins trace back to ModiLuft, an air taxi provider established in 1994. The company was acquired by Indian entrepreneur Ajay Singh in 2004 and rebranded as SpiceJet, commencing its first flight in May 2005. Although Indian media baron Kalanidhi Maran acquired a controlling stake in 2010, ownership reverted to Ajay Singh in January 2015.
The airline's main operational base is at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, which serves as its primary hub. SpiceJet also utilizes secondary bases at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, and Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. SpiceJet operates a fleet primarily composed of Boeing 737 aircraft (including 737-700s, 737-800s, 737-900ERs, and 737 MAX models) and Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. The airline has faced challenges with grounded aircraft due to financial and legal issues, but has outlined plans for fleet expansion and reactivation of grounded planes.
SpiceJet connects numerous destinations, with a strong focus on domestic routes within India, supplemented by international services. As of May 2025, it serves 73 destinations, including 60 Indian and 13 international locations. Other data points indicate a range of 35 domestic and 5 international destinations as of November 2025, or 53 domestic and 10 international destinations as of January 2024. Its international network spans countries in Asia and the Middle East, such as Thailand, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, and Iraq. SpiceJet is not a member of any major global airline alliance like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. However, it maintains codeshare agreements with several carriers, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, to enhance international connectivity. For passengers seeking enhanced comfort, SpiceJet offers SpiceMax, a premium service providing benefits such as extra legroom seats, complimentary meals, priority check-in and boarding, and priority baggage handling for an additional fee. The airline also features a loyalty program called SpiceClub, allowing members to earn points and avail various benefits.
Recent traveler reviews for SpiceJet present a mixed, but generally negative, sentiment.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, the recent sentiment suggests that while SpiceJet can offer competitive pricing and sometimes friendly service, these positives are frequently overshadowed by significant operational inconsistencies, particularly concerning flight punctuality and aircraft maintenance, coupled with perceived shortcomings in customer support.
SpiceJet's safety record has seen scrutiny and subsequent improvements. In 2022, the airline experienced a period with several safety-related incidents, including a malfunctioning weather radar, a faulty fuel indicator, cracks on a windshield, cabin pressure issues, and severe turbulence. This led the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue a show-cause notice in July 2022, citing "poor internal safety oversight" and "inadequate maintenance actions." However, a subsequent DGCA audit conducted shortly after found no major safety violations.
More recently, SpiceJet has demonstrated a stronger safety standing. In December 2022, it was awarded the 'Safety Performer of the Year' by the GMR Delhi Airport Awards for significantly reducing ground safety violations. Furthermore, the airline was the only scheduled Indian carrier to be part of an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit in late 2022, where its safety systems, operations, and processes were found to be robust and compliant with global best practices. This audit contributed to India achieving its highest-ever safety ranking in ICAO assessments. In August 2025, SpiceJet reported zero Level 1 findings (the most serious category of safety observations) in a DGCA audit, underscoring its commitment to a strong safety culture and adherence to global safety norms.
SpiceJet has renewed its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, valid until March 2027, further confirming its compliance with international safety standards. While past concerns about fleet age and maintenance have been raised, with reports from 2014 mentioning 12-14-year-old planes and efforts to improve fleet efficiency and cleanliness, the airline's recent positive audit results suggest ongoing efforts in this area. The average age of its Dash 8-Q400 fleet was just over 8 years as of November 2025. Based on available data, SpiceJet has actively worked to address past safety concerns, evidenced by its recent regulatory certifications and awards, indicating a positive overall safety assessment.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SXR → DEL |
Indira Gandhi Int'l
New Delhi
|
54 | 399 mi | B738 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| GOX → BOM |
Chatrapati Shivaji Int'l
Mumbai
|
48 | 241 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ATQ → DXB |
Dubai Int'l
Dubai
|
34 | 1261 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| VNS → DEL |
Indira Gandhi Int'l
New Delhi
|
33 | 415 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| DXB → PNQ |
Pune / Lohegaon Air Force Base
Pune (Poona)
|
32 | 1275 mi | B738 | Nov 3, 2025 |
| BOM → DXB |
Dubai Int'l
Dubai
|
32 | 1198 mi | B38M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CCJ → DXB |
Dubai Int'l
Dubai
|
30 | 1664 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| IXB → GAU |
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Int'l
Guwahati
|
28 | 206 mi | DH8D | Nov 25, 2025 |
| TIR → HYD |
Rajiv Gandhi Int'l
Hyderabad
|
27 | 260 mi | DH8D | Dec 9, 2025 |
| IXZ → CCU |
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Int'l
Kolkata (Calcutta)
|
26 | 812 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| PNQ → DEL |
Indira Gandhi Int'l
New Delhi
|
24 | 719 mi | B738 | Nov 20, 2025 |
| GOX → PNQ |
Pune / Lohegaon Air Force Base
Pune (Poona)
|
21 | 197 mi | DH8D | Dec 2, 2025 |
| BOM → GOX | Manohar International Airport | 20 | 241 mi | B738 | Dec 4, 2025 |
| DEL → DXB |
Dubai Int'l
Dubai
|
20 | 1358 mi | B738 | Nov 29, 2025 |
| GOX → AMD |
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Int'l (Ahmedabad)
Ahmedabad
|
20 | 514 mi | B738 | Dec 1, 2025 |
| DEL → DHM |
Gaggal (Kangra)
Kangra / Dharamsala
|
20 | 254 mi | DH8D | Dec 4, 2025 |
| BOM → DEL |
Indira Gandhi Int'l
New Delhi
|
20 | 708 mi | B38M | Dec 4, 2025 |
| JAI → PNQ |
Pune / Lohegaon Air Force Base
Pune (Poona)
|
20 | 583 mi | DH8D | Dec 3, 2025 |
| IXB → CCU |
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Int'l
Kolkata (Calcutta)
|
20 | 279 mi | DH8D | Nov 25, 2025 |
| AMD → DEL |
Indira Gandhi Int'l
New Delhi
|
19 | 471 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| DHM → DEL |
Indira Gandhi Int'l
New Delhi
|
19 | 254 mi | DH8D | Dec 10, 2025 |
| IXB → DEL |
Indira Gandhi Int'l
New Delhi
|
18 | 700 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| PAT → BOM |
Chatrapati Shivaji Int'l
Mumbai
|
17 | 901 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| DXB → BOM |
Chatrapati Shivaji Int'l
Mumbai
|
16 | 1198 mi | B38M | Dec 8, 2025 |
| CCU → DEL |
Indira Gandhi Int'l
New Delhi
|
16 | 817 mi | B738 | Nov 15, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.