Air India has introduced a new Basic fare family on select domestic routes, expanding its range of travel options as the airline seeks to offer greater flexibility, transparency and value to customers.
The new fare category, currently being piloted in Economy Class, is aimed at price-conscious travellers who prefer to pay only for the services they need while retaining the option to customise their journey. It offers lower-cost travel option with unbundled services on select domestic routes.
Expanding customer choice
The Basic fare builds on Air India’s branded fare families : Value, Classic and Flex, which were introduced in 2024 as part of the airline’s broader effort to simplify its product offering and improve the customer experience.
Under the Basic fare, passengers receive a 15 kg checked baggage allowance, a 7 kg cabin baggage allowance and complimentary tea or coffee onboard. Complimentary meals, however, are not included in the package.
Air India said the new fare family is entirely optional, with customers continuing to have access to the existing Value, Classic and Flex options that include complimentary meals and additional bundled benefits.
Focus on value-conscious travellers
The airline said the introduction of the Basic fare reflects changing consumer preferences and recognises that travellers increasingly seek personalised travel experiences.
By unbundling certain services, Air India aims to offer lower entry-level fares while allowing passengers to choose and pay only for the amenities they require.
The move aligns with global aviation trends, where airlines are offering differentiated fare products to cater to a wider range of customer segments.
Flexible meal options
Passengers opting for the Basic fare will still be able to pre-purchase meals up to 24 hours before departure.
Available meal choices include Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Jain and Diabetic options. Air India said pre-booked meals will automatically be transferred in the event of flight reaccommodation or schedule changes. If the selected meal cannot be provided, passengers will receive a full refund.
Pilot phase underway
The Basic fare is currently available on select domestic routes and can be booked exclusively through Air India’s direct channels, including its website, mobile application, contact centre and airport ticketing offices.
The airline said customer feedback and booking trends during the pilot phase will help determine the future rollout of the offering.
Transformation journey continues
The launch forms part of Air India’s ongoing transformation programme focused on enhancing customer experience, expanding choice and delivering more personalised travel options.
The airline said the addition of the Basic fare strengthens its commitment to providing a more intuitive, fair and customer-centric travel experience while ensuring travellers can select products that best suit their preferences and budgets.