Kingfisher Airlines is one of the leading private players in the Indian aviation industry. Incorporated in 1995 as Deccan Aviation, the company is engaged in the business of providing passenger and helicopter charter services. The name was changed to Kingfisher Airlines in the year 2008. The airline is part of UB Group owned by Dr Vijay Mallya.

Kingfisher Airlines is India's only five-star airline rated by Skytrax, and the only one to offer premium first class service on domestic routes.

Besides being the first and only airline in India to offer in-flight entertainment, Kingfisher offers live TV on many domestic routes in India with 16 channels of live and exciting content.

The airline is a part of the UB Group that is one of India’s largest conglomerates with diverse interests and a global presence. The UB Group is also the largest Indian alcoholic beverages (beer and spirits) company and the third largest drinks group in the world.

Kingfisher Airlines owns 67 aircraft comprising A330, A 321 (single and double cabin), A 320 (single and double cabin), A 319, ATR 72-500 and ATR 42-500.

In India, the airline has a network in 72 cities operating more than 400 flights a day and commands a market share of 25%. Internationally, it operates flights to Dubai, Singapore, Colombo and London. The airline offers three unique classes of services Kingfisher First (business class), Kingfisher Class (premium economy) and Kingfisher Red (low fare).

The company owns two subsidiaries namely Northway Aviation and Vitae India Spirits. Northway Aviation is engaged in the business of financing pre-delivery payments and aircraft acquisition.

Kingfisher Airlines is only five-star airline in the Indian skies and is known for providing world-class in fight services to its passengers. The company has emerged as the first Indian airline that provides a range of services in the mobile segment such as flight updates, ticket buying through SMS and many more.

On October 20,2012 Director General of Civil Aviation suspended its scheduled operator’s permit. In December 2012 Kingfisher Airlines applied for renewal of its License as a scheduled carrier. Subsequently, Kingfisher Airlines submitted a restart and rehabilitation Plan to the DGCA and also attended meetings to respond to queries. The plan itself clearly states that the funding required would be provided by The UB Group.

Awards

• Kingfisher Airlines has received numerous awards for innovation, customer responsiveness and was voted the ‘Best New Airline of the Year’, within months of its launch.
• The airline was awarded NDTV Profit Business Leadership Award for Aviation by NDTV. 
• The company was given Economic Times Avaya Award 2006 for Excellence in customer responsiveness by the highly acclaimed business daily, Economic Times.
• The airline was rated amongst India's most respected companies by Business World.
• Kingfisher Airlines was acknowledged as “The Best Airline and India’s Favourite Carrier”- in a survey conducted by IMB for The Times of India. 
•  The company was named as ‘Best New Domestic Airline for Excellent Services and Cuisine’ by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) the biggest travel writers’ organisation, representing members from 70 countries across the globe, that conducts independent annual surveys across various industries related with Travel and Tourism in order to select the best in each category.
• The company was voted as Best New Airline of the Year by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Award in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region.
• The airline was acknowledged as 'India's only 5 Star airline' and '6th airline in the world' was certified by Skytrax.
• Kingfisher was rated as Asia Pacific's 'Top Airline Brand' in a survey conducted by TNS on 'Asia Pacific's Top 1,000 Brands' for 2008.
• "2010 - Kingfisher Airlines joins oneworld alliance
  Kingfisher Airlines launched flights from Mumbai to Bangkok and from New Delhi to Bangkok.
  Kingfisher Airlines launch Delhi Kathmandu flights
  Kingfisher Airlines Launches New Frequent Flyer Programme For Young Flyers
  Best Airline in India and Central Asia’, ‘Best Economy Class Seats’ and ‘Staff Service Excellence Award for airlines in India and Central Asia’ in World Airline Awards,2010
  5-STAR AIRLINE' award by Skytrax for 3rd consecutive year, 2010