Air India launches 'Basic' fare on domestic flights. What's included and what's not
Air India has introduced a new Basic fare on select domestic routes that excludes complimentary meals. The pilot gives budget-conscious travellers a lower entry fare while leaving existing full-service fare options intact.
For years, one thing helped Air India stand apart from many low-cost airlines. Even on domestic flights, passengers could usually expect a meal as part of their ticket.
Now, that is changing. Air India has launched a new "Basic" fare on select domestic routes, giving travellers the option to pay less for their ticket in exchange for fewer bundled services.
The biggest change is that complimentary meals will no longer be included, although passengers will continue to receive tea or coffee onboard.
The Tata Group-owned airline said the new fare is aimed at giving passengers more choice and control over how they travel and what they pay for. The move also reflects a wider trend in the aviation industry, where airlines are increasingly unbundling services and allowing customers to pay only for the features they want.
WHAT IS AIR INDIA'S NEW BASIC FARE?
The new fare is being rolled out as a pilot on select domestic routes and is available only in Economy Class. It has been designed for value-conscious travellers who are willing to give up certain benefits in exchange for a lower fare.
Under the Basic fare, passengers will receive:
- 15 kg checked baggage allowance
- 7 kg cabin baggage allowance
- Complimentary tea or coffee onboard
However, meals will not be included in the ticket price. Passengers who want food during the flight can pre-book meals up to 24 hours before departure for an additional charge. Available meal options include vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Jain and diabetic meals.
Air India said the Basic fare is "entirely optional" and does not replace any of its existing fare categories.
"The introduction of Basic fare simply adds another layer of choice, particularly for price-conscious travellers who prefer a more unbundled offering," the airline said.
WHY IS AIR INDIA INTRODUCING THIS FARE?
The airline says the move is part of its effort to offer more flexibility to travellers with different preferences and budgets.
Air India described the new fare as part of a "pro-consumer approach", recognising that not every passenger wants an all-inclusive ticket.
"By unbundling certain services, Air India is enabling price-conscious travellers to pay only for what they need, while preserving full-service offerings for those who value an all-inclusive experience," the airline said.
The carrier added that its fare families are designed to match evolving traveller preferences and help customers choose the option that best suits their needs.
The launch also aligns Air India more closely with a growing industry trend where airlines separate services such as meals, seat selection and baggage from the base ticket price to offer lower entry-level fares.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER AIR INDIA FARES?
The Basic fare becomes the fourth fare family in Air India's domestic network after Value, Classic and Flex, which were introduced in 2024 as part of the airline's customer experience overhaul.
Unlike the new Basic fare, the existing Value, Classic and Flex categories continue to include complimentary meals and a range of bundled benefits. The level of benefits increases as passengers move up the fare ladder.
This means travellers now have four different fare options to choose from depending on how much they are willing to spend and what services they want included.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR FLIGHT CHANGES?
Air India has also clarified what will happen if a passenger purchases a meal separately and is later moved to another flight due to a schedule disruption.
According to the airline, pre-purchased meals will automatically be transferred to the new flight.
If the meal cannot be provided on the replacement flight, the amount paid for it will be fully refunded.
For now, the new fare is available only through Air India's direct channels as part of a pilot programme.
Passengers can book the Basic fare through Air India's website, Air India mobile app, Contact centre, Airport ticketing offices
The airline said it will assess customer response and feedback during the pilot phase before deciding whether to expand the offering further.
The new fare is likely to appeal to travellers who fly light, do not usually eat onboard and are primarily looking for the lowest available ticket price.
However, passengers should compare fares carefully before booking.
In some cases, a slightly more expensive Value fare that includes meals and additional benefits could offer better overall value, depending on the traveller's requirements.
For Air India, the launch marks another step in its ongoing transformation strategy as it seeks to offer more personalised travel options while competing more aggressively for budget-conscious passengers.
For years, one thing helped Air India stand apart from many low-cost airlines. Even on domestic flights, passengers could usually expect a meal as part of their ticket.
Now, that is changing. Air India has launched a new "Basic" fare on select domestic routes, giving travellers the option to pay less for their ticket in exchange for fewer bundled services.
The biggest change is that complimentary meals will no longer be included, although passengers will continue to receive tea or coffee onboard.
The Tata Group-owned airline said the new fare is aimed at giving passengers more choice and control over how they travel and what they pay for. The move also reflects a wider trend in the aviation industry, where airlines are increasingly unbundling services and allowing customers to pay only for the features they want.
WHAT IS AIR INDIA'S NEW BASIC FARE?
The new fare is being rolled out as a pilot on select domestic routes and is available only in Economy Class. It has been designed for value-conscious travellers who are willing to give up certain benefits in exchange for a lower fare.
Under the Basic fare, passengers will receive:
- 15 kg checked baggage allowance
- 7 kg cabin baggage allowance
- Complimentary tea or coffee onboard
However, meals will not be included in the ticket price. Passengers who want food during the flight can pre-book meals up to 24 hours before departure for an additional charge. Available meal options include vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Jain and diabetic meals.
Air India said the Basic fare is "entirely optional" and does not replace any of its existing fare categories.
"The introduction of Basic fare simply adds another layer of choice, particularly for price-conscious travellers who prefer a more unbundled offering," the airline said.
WHY IS AIR INDIA INTRODUCING THIS FARE?
The airline says the move is part of its effort to offer more flexibility to travellers with different preferences and budgets.
Air India described the new fare as part of a "pro-consumer approach", recognising that not every passenger wants an all-inclusive ticket.
"By unbundling certain services, Air India is enabling price-conscious travellers to pay only for what they need, while preserving full-service offerings for those who value an all-inclusive experience," the airline said.
The carrier added that its fare families are designed to match evolving traveller preferences and help customers choose the option that best suits their needs.
The launch also aligns Air India more closely with a growing industry trend where airlines separate services such as meals, seat selection and baggage from the base ticket price to offer lower entry-level fares.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER AIR INDIA FARES?
The Basic fare becomes the fourth fare family in Air India's domestic network after Value, Classic and Flex, which were introduced in 2024 as part of the airline's customer experience overhaul.
Unlike the new Basic fare, the existing Value, Classic and Flex categories continue to include complimentary meals and a range of bundled benefits. The level of benefits increases as passengers move up the fare ladder.
This means travellers now have four different fare options to choose from depending on how much they are willing to spend and what services they want included.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR FLIGHT CHANGES?
Air India has also clarified what will happen if a passenger purchases a meal separately and is later moved to another flight due to a schedule disruption.
According to the airline, pre-purchased meals will automatically be transferred to the new flight.
If the meal cannot be provided on the replacement flight, the amount paid for it will be fully refunded.
For now, the new fare is available only through Air India's direct channels as part of a pilot programme.
Passengers can book the Basic fare through Air India's website, Air India mobile app, Contact centre, Airport ticketing offices
The airline said it will assess customer response and feedback during the pilot phase before deciding whether to expand the offering further.
The new fare is likely to appeal to travellers who fly light, do not usually eat onboard and are primarily looking for the lowest available ticket price.
However, passengers should compare fares carefully before booking.
In some cases, a slightly more expensive Value fare that includes meals and additional benefits could offer better overall value, depending on the traveller's requirements.
For Air India, the launch marks another step in its ongoing transformation strategy as it seeks to offer more personalised travel options while competing more aggressively for budget-conscious passengers.
