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{{short description|2003-2013 airline of India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = {{Big|Kingfisher Airlines}}
| logo =
| logo_size = 250
| IATA = IT<ref name="chavprofile">{{cite web | url=http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/KIF | title=Kingfisher Airlines | work=[[ch-aviation]] | access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref>
| ICAO = KFR<ref name="chavprofile" />
| callsign = KINGFISHER <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/ND/7340.1Z.pdf | title=7340.1Z - Contractions | work=[[Federal Aviation Administration]] | date=15 March 2007 | access-date=26 February 2017 | pages=3–1–55}}</ref>
| parent = [[United Breweries Group]]
| founded = 2003
| commenced = 9 May 2005
| ceased = October 20, 2012 <ref name="livemint.com">[http://www.livemint.com/Companies/f4jXhQo5NgdG5Ae4CIQkJK/India-scraps-Kingfishers-local-slots-international-flying.html Ministry to give Kingfisher local slots, global flying rights to other carriers]</ref>
| key_people = <div>
* Sanjay Aggarwal (CEO)
* [[Vijay Mallya]] (CMD)
</div>
| headquarters = [[Bengaluru]], [[Karnataka]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Airline Membership |work=IATA |url=http://www.iata.org/membership/Pages/airline_members_list.aspx?All=true |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711071646/http://www.iata.org/membership/Pages/airline_members_list.aspx?All=true |archive-date=11 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=KFA Office| work=KFA| url=http://www.flykingfisher.com/our-offices.aspx| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312094932/http://www.flykingfisher.com/our-offices.aspx| archive-date=12 March 2013| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| hubs = {{nowrap|[[Kempegowda International Airport]] <small>(Bengaluru)</small>}}
| secondary_hubs = *[[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport]] <small>(Mumbai)</small>
*[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] <small>(Delhi)</small>
| focus_cities = <div>
*{{nowrap|[[Chennai International Airport]]}}
*{{nowrap|[[Pune International Airport]]}}
</div>
| subsidiaries = [[Kingfisher Xpress]]
| revenue = {{INRConvert|25982.78|c}} (2012)
| net_income = {{INRConvert|8765.9|c}} (2012)
| num_employees = 5,696 (2012)
| frequent_flyer = King Club
| fleet_size =
| destinations = 128
| website =
| image = Fly kingfisher logo 2011.png
| aoc =
}}

'''Kingfisher Airlines Limited''' was an airline group based in India. It was established in 2003 and started its commercial operations in 2005. Through its parent company [[United Breweries Group]], it had a 50% stake in [[low-cost carrier]] [[Kingfisher Red]].

Until December 2011, Kingfisher Airlines had the second largest share in India's domestic air travel market. However, the airline ran into continuous losses since its inception, ran high debts and finally closed its operations in 2012.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news|last1=Giriprakash|first1=K|title=The rise and fall of a castle in the air|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/companies/the-rise-and-fall-of-a-castle-in-the-air/article2622215.ece#!|access-date=3 February 2018|work=The Hindu|date=12 November 2011}}</ref> Its chairman [[Vijay Mallya]] subsequently fled to [[London]] to allegedly hide from creditors.<ref name="ft">{{cite news|last1=Kazmin|first1=Amy|last2=Barber|first2=Lionel|title=The fall of Viyay Mallya|url=https://www.ft.com/content/85252402-1249-11e6-839f-2922947098f0|access-date=3 February 2018|work=Financial Times|date=5 May 2016}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of Kingfisher Airlines}}

===Early years===
Kingfisher Airlines was established in 2003. It was owned by the [[Bengaluru]] based [[United Breweries Group]]. The airline started commercial operations on 9 May 2005, on Mallya's son Siddharth's 18th birthday, reportedly as a birthday gift, with a fleet of four new [[Airbus A320-200]]s operating a flight from [[Mumbai]] to [[Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dancewithshadows.com/business/kingfisher-airlines-first-flight.asp |title=Kingfisher Airlines to take wings on May 9|publisher=Dancewithshadows.com |date=9 May 2005 |access-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112172115/http://www.dancewithshadows.com/business/kingfisher-airlines-first-flight.asp |archive-date=12 November 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=PTI /|last1=Jan 20|last2=2005|first3=05:00|last3=Ist|access-date=2021-01-25|title=Kingfisher Airlines to be launched in May - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/kingfisher-airlines-to-be-launched-in-may/articleshow/996708.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2021-01-25|title=What makes Kingfisher India’s favourite airline|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/what-makes-kingfisher-india-s-favourite-airline/story-U7MxwkYjYZG4ncRSPpI0hI.html|date=22 December 2009|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> It started its international operations on 3 September 2008 by connecting [[Bengaluru]] with [[London]]. Kingfisher's head office was located in the Kingfisher House in [[Vile Parle|Vile Parle (East)]], Mumbai,<ref>"[http://www.flykingfisher.com/contact-us.aspx?locale=en-US Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512215618/http://www.flykingfisher.com/contact-us.aspx?locale=en-US |date=12 May 2013 }}." Kingfisher Airlines. Retrieved on 25 August 2009. "Kingfisher Airlines Limited Kingfisher House Western Express Highway Vile Parle (E) Mumbai - 400099 India "</ref> but later moved to The Qube in [[Andheri]] (East), [[Mumbai]]. Its registered office was located in [[UB City]], [[Bengaluru]].<ref>"{{cite web |url=http://www.flykingfisher.com/our-offices.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312094932/http://www.flykingfisher.com/our-offices.aspx |archive-date=12 March 2013 |df=dmy-all }}." Kingfisher Airlines. Retrieved on 12 January 2012. "Kingfisher Airlines Limited Kingfisher Airlines Limited The Qube, C.T.S. No. 1498 A/2, 4th Floor, M.V. Road, Marol, [[Andheri]] (East), [[Mumbai]] - 400 059 India "</ref><ref>ENS Economic Bureau. "[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Jet--Kingfisher-trying-to-fly-in-formation/372981 Jet, Kingfisher trying to fly in formation]." ''[[Indian Express]]''. Tuesday 14 October 2008. Retrieved on 25 August 2009.</ref> In November 2005, during the [[World economic forum]], the airlines CEO Vijay Mallya announced the airlines intention to launch an IPO to raise 200 million dollars for the airlines expansion and possible takeovers (including that of Air Sahara which was being eyed at that time).<ref name="rediff">{{cite news|title=Kingfisher IPO in 2006|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/nov/29ipo.htm|access-date=26 January 2018|publisher=Rediff news|date=29 November 2005}}</ref> It later transpired that the airlines was already heavily in debt and going each year in heavy losses.<ref name="livemint">{{cite news|last1=Upadhyay|first1=Jayshree|last2=Nair|first2=Vishwanath|last3=Sapam|first3=Bidya|title=Mallya case: Sebi probing allegations of round-tripping of USL shares|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/xmpkgTmlnJLe8BSJTleXhJ/Mallya-case-Sebi-probing-allegations-of-roundtripping-of-U.html|access-date=26 January 2018|publisher=Livemint|date=18 March 2016}}</ref>

===Fall===
Ever since the airline commenced operations in 2005, it reported losses. The acquisition of loss-making Bengaluru-based [[Simplifly Deccan|Air Deccan]] in 2007 made matters worse.<ref>{{cite news | title= Kingfisher buys control of Air Deccan| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-06-01/india-business/27963983_1_air-deccan-capt-g-r-gopinath-mallya-s-ub-holdings| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827003054/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-06-01/india-business/27963983_1_air-deccan-capt-g-r-gopinath-mallya-s-ub-holdings| url-status=dead| archive-date=27 August 2013|date= 1 June 2007| work= [[The Times of India]]| access-date=20 August 2012}}</ref> It was believed that Vijay Mallya and his team failed to follow due diligence with the airline and that it was this deal that brought down his empire; courtesy of N M Rothschild consultants who brokered the deal.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kasli|first=Shelley|date=11 September 2016|title=What Has A Secret Account in Rothschild Bank To Do with the Kingfisher Deal?|url=http://greatgameindia.com/secret-account-rothschild-bank-kingfisher-deal/|journal=GreatGameIndia Magazine}}</ref> An initial name change to Simplifly Deccan, followed by Kingfisher Red, and promotion as the domestic budget Kingfisher airline failed to stem losses and Kingfisher suffered a loss of over {{INRConvert|10|b}} for three consecutive years. [[File:Kingfisher Red Logo.png|182px|thumb|Kingfisher Red's logo]]

On 28 September 2011, Vijay Mallya announced that the company would soon stop operations of Kingfisher Red as it did not believe in low-cost operations any longer.<ref>{{cite news | title= Kingfisher to exit low-cost airline operation| url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kingfisher-to-exit-lowcost-airline-operation/188330-7.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001000905/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kingfisher-to-exit-lowcost-airline-operation/188330-7.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=1 October 2011|publisher= CNN IBN |date=28 September 2011| access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title= Vijay Mallya grounds low-cost carrier Kingfisher Red| url=http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/vijay-mallya-grounds-low-cost-carrier-kingfisher-red-180433?pfrom=home-otherstories|publisher= NDTV |date=28 September 2011| access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref> In a disclosure statement to the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]] (BSE), he explained: "The company has incurred substantial losses and its net worth has been eroded. However, having regard to improvement in the economic sentiment, rationalization measures adopted by the company, fleet recovery and the implementation of the debt recast package with the lenders and promoters including conversion of debt into share capital, these interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the company is a [[going concern]] and that no adjustments are required to the carrying value of assets and liabilities."<ref>{{cite news|title=Going concern|url=http://www.bseindia.com/qresann/resultNotes.asp?scripcd=532747&qtr=70&dtBgn=30-Jun-11&dtEnd=3&scripName=KINGFISHER%20AIRLINES%20LTD.&ResultType=DNB}}</ref> This filing was widely covered by Indian and international print and electronic media and analysts.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reuters News|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-india-kingfisher-funds-idUSLNE78E02O20110915 | date=15 September 2011}}</ref> Kingfisher Airlines Lenders later stated they considered the company viable.<ref>{{cite news| title=Lenders Confirmation| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904060604576571940614618696?mod=googlenews_wsj | work=The Wall Street Journal | first1=Anirban|last1=Chowdhury|first2=Santanu|last2=Choudhury|date=15 September 2011}}</ref> On 15 November 2011 the airline released poor financial results, indicating that it was "drowning in high-interest debt and losing money". Mallya indicated that his solution was for the government to reduce fuel and other taxes. The government was engaged in assessing whether to bail out the company and other airlines or let market forces determine which survived.<ref name="Avweb15Nov11">{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/Indian_Airlines_In_Crisis_205739-1.html|title = Indian Airlines in Crisis|access-date = 17 November 2011|last = Niles|first = Russ|date = 15 November 2011| work = AVweb}}</ref>

[[File:KingfisherClosed.JPG|thumb|A closed counter after Kingfisher Airlines stopped its service]]

In December 2011, for the second time in two months, Kingfisher's bank accounts were frozen by the Mumbai Income Tax department for non-payment of dues. The firm owed {{INRConvert|700|m}} to the tax department at the time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kingfisher Airlines, Air India bank accounts frozen by Mumbai service tax dept over dues|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kingfisher-air-india-service-tax-dues-mumbai/1/163253.html|newspaper=India Today Online|date=8 December 2011|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

By early 2012, the airline accumulated losses of over {{INRConvert|70|b}} with half of its fleet grounded and several members of its staff going on strike. Kingfisher's position in [[List of airlines in India#Market share|top Indian airlines]] on the basis of market share had slipped from second to last due to the crisis. Mallya was looking for buyers for the Vile Parle Kingfisher House.<ref>"[http://www.mid-day.com/news/2012/mar/120312-Kingfisher-house-Gandhi-relics-up-for-sale.htm Kingfisher house, Gandhi relics up for sale?]" ''[[Mid-Day]]''. 12 March 2012. Retrieved on 15 March 2012.</ref> With the freezing of the bank accounts of the airline by the Indian Income Tax Department, the airline was in financial disarray.<ref>{{cite news|title=Financial Results|url=http://www.bseindia.com/qresann/result.asp?scripcd=532747&scripname=}}</ref>

On 20 October 2012, Kingfisher's licence was suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after it failed to address the Indian regulator's concerns about its operations.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/india-suspends-kingfisher-airlines-license-092354161--finance.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024075440/http://news.yahoo.com/india-suspends-kingfisher-airlines-license-092354161--finance.html|date=24 October 2012}}</ref> On 25 February 2013, its international flying rights and domestic slots were scrapped by the Indian aviation authorities.<ref name="livemint.com">[http://www.livemint.com/Companies/f4jXhQo5NgdG5Ae4CIQkJK/India-scraps-Kingfishers-local-slots-international-flying.html Ministry to give Kingfisher local slots, global flying rights to other carriers]</ref>

In July 2014, Kingfisher Airlines' indebtedness appeared as the country's state-owned banks' top [[non-performing asset]] after failing to repay loans of over {{INRConvert|40|b}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines is king of defaulters at Rs 4,022 crore|url=http://www.patrika.com/news/mallyas-kingfisher-airlines-is-king-of-defaulters-at-rs-4022-crore/1018296|access-date=17 July 2014|work=Patrika Group|issue=17 July 2014}}</ref>

On 2 March 2016 after nearly three years of the bankruptcy of Kingfisher Airlines, the consortium of 13 Indian Banks led by [[State Bank of India]] moved the Debt Recovery Tribunal to recover its dues which included Rs 9,000 crores owed by its promoter Vijay Mallya. By that time Mallya had left India for the UK despite court proceedings by Indian banks initiated against him. Two years later the British Courts ordered extradition of Mallya after a prolonged legal battle and Mallya could be brought back to India if his appeal against the court order is not turned down.

==Destinations==
{{Main|List of Kingfisher Airlines destinations}}
The airline's first long-haul destination was [[London Heathrow Airport|London]], England, which was launched in September 2008. It had plans to launch long-haul flights to cities in Africa, Asia, Europe, [[North America]] and [[Oceania]] with deliveries of new aircraft. All long-haul routes were operated on the [[Airbus A330-200]].

On the day of suspension of all international operations, 10 April 2012, Kingfisher Airlines served 25 domestic destinations within India.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17664122 | work=BBC News | title=India's Kingfisher Airlines ends overseas flights | date=10 April 2012}}</ref>
At that time, all routes were operated with the [[Airbus A320 family]], [[ATR 42]]s, and [[ATR 72]] aircraft.

==Kingfisher Employees==
Kingfisher Employees had their dues prior to the carrier suspending its operations.<ref name="economictimes.indiatimes.com">[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/kingfisher-airlines-owes-3000-employees-rs-300-crore-in-salary/articleshow/51336437.cms Kingfisher Airlines owes 3,000 employees Rs 300 crore in salary - The Economic Times]</ref> Employee dues outstanding are worth approximately Rs. 300 [[crore]].<ref name="economictimes.indiatimes.com"/>

===Codeshare agreements===
Prior to the suspension from IATA, Kingfisher had [[codeshare agreement]]s with:
*[[American Airlines]] ([[Oneworld]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flykingfisher.com/media-center/press-releases/kingfisher-airlines-and-american-airlines-announce-comprehensive-codeshare-and-frequent-flyer-relationship.aspx |title=Kingfisher Airlines and American Airlines enter into Codeshare Agreement |work=Kingfisher Airlines official website |date=23 November 2010 |access-date=23 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125034927/http://www.flykingfisher.com/media-center/press-releases/kingfisher-airlines-and-american-airlines-announce-comprehensive-codeshare-and-frequent-flyer-relationship.aspx |archive-date=25 November 2010 }}</ref>
*[[Finnair]](oneworld) <ref>[https://www.traveldailymedia.com/finnair-partners-with-kingfisher-airlines/]</ref>
*[[Asiana Airlines]] ([[Star Alliance]])
*[[Philippine Airlines]]<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/Philippine-Air-links-to-India-inks-pact-with-Kingfisher/Article1-679452.aspx PR-IT code share]</ref>

==Fleet==
[[File:Airbus A320-232, Kingfisher Airlines JP7055280.jpg|thumb|Kingfisher [[Airbus A320-200]]]]
[[File:Airbus_A340-500_Kingfisher_(KFR)_F-WWTJ_-_MSN_902_-_Now_In_Government_of_Tunisia_fleet_as_TS-KRT_(2906560391).jpg|thumb|Kingfisher [[Airbus A340-500]]. Six of them were ordered in 2006 and scheduled for delivery in 2008 for the airline's planned non-stop service from [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]] to [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]] but orders were cancelled after five were built.]]

Kingfisher Airlines' fleet mainly consisted of [[ATR 42]], [[ATR 72]] and [[Airbus A320 family]] aircraft for domestic and short-haul services; and, [[Airbus A330|Airbus A330-200]]s for international long-haul services. The ATRs and a few aircraft from the A320 family were used for [[Kingfisher Red]] services. In March 2012, Kingfisher Airlines had the following, already heavily downsized fleet:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flykingfisher.com/about-us/our-fleet.aspx |title=Kingfisher Airlines Fleet |publisher=Flykingfisher.com |date=15 August 2010 |access-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824014016/http://www.flykingfisher.com/about-us/our-fleet.aspx |archive-date=24 August 2010 }}</ref>

<center>
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"
|+ Kingfisher Airlines Fleet
|-
! rowspan="2" style="width:140px;" | Aircraft
! rowspan="2" style="width:40px;" | Total
! colspan="3" class="unsortable" | Passengers
! rowspan="2" style="width:200px;" | Notes
|-
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Kingfisher First">P</abbr>
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Kingfisher Class">Y</abbr>
! style="width:25px;" | Total
|-
|[[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A319-100]]
|3
|0
|144
|144
|
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320-200]]
|rowspan="3"|21
|20
|114
|134
|rowspan="3"|
|-
|0
|174
|174
|-
|0
|180
|180
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A321-200]]
|rowspan="2"|8
|32
|119
|151
|rowspan="2"|
|-
|0
|199
|199
|-
!Total
!32
!colspan="4"|
|}
</center>

At the time the airline ceased operations, it had Airbus A320, [[Airbus A350 XWB]] and [[Airbus A380]] aircraft on order.<ref>[http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/kingfisher-becomes-first-indian-customer-for-a380-a350-a330/ Kingfisher becomes first Indian customer for A380, A350, & A330 - Commercial Aircraft - Airbus]</ref>

==Services==
{{more citations needed|section|date=May 2017}}

===Cabin===
====Domestic====
[[File:Economy class meal on board a Kingfisher Airlines domestic flight.jpg|thumb|Economy class meal on board a Kingfisher Airlines domestic flight]]
;Kingfisher First
The domestic Kingfisher First, offered on some [[Airbus A320 family]] aircraft only, provided seats with a 48-inch pitch and 126-degree recline. There were laptop and mobile phone chargers on every seat. There was also a steam ironing service onboard Kingfisher First cabins. Every seat was equipped with a personalised [[In-flight entertainment|IFE]] system with [[AVOD#Advertising video on demand|AVOD]] which offered a wide range of [[Hollywood]] and [[Bollywood]] movies, English and Hindi TV programmes, 16 live TV channels and 10 channels of Kingfisher Radio.

;Kingfisher Class
The domestic Kingfisher Class had 32-34 inch seat pitch. Every seat was equipped with personal [[In-flight entertainment|IFE]] systems with [[AVOD#Advertising video on demand|AVOD]] on board the Airbus A320 family aircraft. As in Kingfisher First, passengers could access movies, English and Hindi TV programmes, a few live TV channels powered by [[DishTV]], and Kingfisher Radio. Passengers were served meals on most flights. Before take-off, passengers were served bottled [[lemonade]].

====International====
;Kingfisher First
Kingfisher offered an international business/first product called Kingfisher First which featured full flat-bed seats with 180-degree recline, a pitch of 78 inches and width of 20-24.54 inches.<ref>{{cite web|author=Skytrax News |url=http://www.airlinequality.com/news/140708_KINGFISHER.htm |title=Kingfisher Airlines unveiled new Airbus A330-200 designed to take the customer experience to the highest quality level |publisher=Airlinequality.com |access-date=30 August 2010}}</ref> Passengers were given [[Merino]] wool blankets, a Salvatore Ferragamo toiletry kit, pyjamas, five-course meals, and alcoholic beverages. Also available were in-seat massagers, chargers, and USB connectors. Every Kingfisher First seat had a 17-inch widescreen [[personal television]] with [[AVOD#Advertising video on demand|AVOD]] touchscreen controls and offered 357 hours of programming content spread over 36 channels, including [[Hollywood]] and [[Bollywood]] movies along with 16 channels of live TV, so passengers could watch their favorite TV programmes live. There was also a collection of interactive games, a jukebox with customisable playlists and Kingfisher Radio. Passengers are given [[BOSE]] noise cancellation headphones. The service onboard the Kingfisher First cabins included a social area comprising a full-fledged bar staffed with a bartender, a break-out seating area just nearby fitted with two couches and bar stools, a full-fledged chef on board the aircraft and any-time dining. A turn-down service included the conversion of the seat into a fully flat bed and a Flight Attendant making the bed when the passenger is ready to sleep.

;Kingfisher Class
The international Kingfisher Class seats offered a pitch of 34 inches, a width of 18 inches and recline of 25 degrees (6 inches). Passengers received full-length [[modacrylic]] blankets and full-size pillows. Each Kingfisher Class seat had a 10.6 inch widescreen personal television with [[AVOD#Advertising video on demand|AVOD]] touchscreen controls. The IFE was similar to that of the international Kingfisher First class.

===In-flight entertainment===
Kingfisher's IFE system was the Thales TopSeries i3000/i4000 on board the Airbus A320 family aircraft, and Thales TopSeries i5000 on board the Airbus A330 family aircraft provided by the France-based [[Thales Group]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Ravi Teja Sharma / New Delhi 5 October 2006 |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/airborne-again/260624/ |title=Airborne again: IFE systems |newspaper=Business Standard India |publisher=Business-standard.com |date=5 October 2006 |access-date=30 August 2010}}</ref> Kingfisher was the first Indian airline to have [[in-flight entertainment]] (IFE) systems on every seat even on domestic flights. The [[inflight magazine]]s were special editions of magazines owned by Mallya's media publishing house (VJM Media) viz. ''Hi! Blitz'' for domestic flights and ''Hi! Living'' for international flights. Initially, passengers were able to watch only recorded TV programming on the IFE system, but later an alliance was formed with [[Dish TV]] to provide live TV in-flight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Kingfisher_Partners_with_Dish_TV/551-77748-547.html |title=Kingfisher partners with Dish TV |publisher=Techtree.com |date=9 December 2006 |access-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120014150/http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Kingfisher_Partners_with_Dish_TV/551-77748-547.html |archive-date=20 November 2008 }}</ref>

===Loyalty programme===
[[File:King Club Logo.png|thumb]]
The [[frequent-flyer program]] of Kingfisher Airlines was called the ''King Club'' in which members earned ''King Miles'' every time they flew with Kingfisher or its partner airlines, hotels, car rental, finance and lifestyle businesses. There were four levels in the scheme: Red, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Members could redeem points over a number of schemes. Platinum, Gold and Silver members enjoyed access to the ''Kingfisher Lounge'', priority check-in, excess baggage allowance, bonus miles, and Kingfisher First upgrade vouchers.

===Cargo===

====Kingfisher Xpress====
{{further|Kingfisher Xpress}}
Kingfisher Xpress was a Door-to-Door cargo delivery service launched in February 2010, being the first such service in India promising same-day pick-up in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata and delivery in up to 18 cities, namely, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Kochi, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Raipur, Ranchi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Pune and Srinagar. A money-back guarantee was offered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/62864/-kingfisheras-new-axpressa-cargo-service/ |title=Kingfisher's new 'Xpress' cargo service |publisher=Routesonline |date=29 January 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010}}</ref>

===Kingfisher Lounge===
Kingfisher Lounges were offered to ''Kingfisher First'' passengers, along with ''King Club Silver'' and ''King Club Gold'' members. Lounges were located in:
<div>
*[[Kempegowda International Airport]] (Bengaluru)
*[[Chennai International Airport]]
*[[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]] (Mumbai)
*[[Cochin International Airport]] (Kochi)
*[[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] (Delhi)
*[[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow Airport]]
*[[Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport]] (Kolkata)
*[[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport]] (Hyderabad)
</div>

[[File:EC155 B1.jpg|thumb|right|Test flight of [[EC155 B1]] of Kingfisher Airlines]]

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 10 November 2009, Flight 4124 to [[Bhavnagar Airport|Bhavnagar]] operated by [[ATR 72|ATR 72-500]] VT-KAC, skidded off the runway after landing at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]]. The aircraft suffered substantial damage, but all 46 passengers and crew escaped unharmed.<ref name=ASN101109>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20091110-0 |title=Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=11 November 2009}}</ref> In November 2010, the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]] released its final report into the accident. It revealed that the cause of the accident was pilot error, with the aircraft landing at too high a speed and too far down Runway 27A, which was the designation given to Runway 27 whilst it was being operated at a reduced length due to the closure of Runway 14/32 for maintenance.<ref name=Report>{{cite web |url=http://dgca.nic.in/accident/reports/incident/VT-%20KAC.pdf |title=Report on Serious Incident to M/S Kingfisher Airlines ATR-72 Aircraft VT-KAC at Mumbai on 10.11.2009. |publisher=Directorate General of Civil Aviation |access-date=25 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716025006/http://dgca.nic.in/accident/reports/incident/VT-%20KAC.pdf |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of airlines of India]]
*[[List of airports in India]]
*[[List of companies of India]]
*[[Transport in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}
*{{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20140625044233/http://www.flykingfisher.com/}} (defunct)

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Kingfisher Airlines - Revision history

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