Air India Launches Basic Fare: Cheaper Tickets With No Free Meals

Air India announced a new “Basic” fare on select domestic routes, giving travellers a cheaper ticket option if they’re willing to skip some of the extras that normally come with a full-service airline.

The new fare is available only in Economy Class and is aimed at passengers who care more about price than bundled benefits. For Indian travellers comparing Air India with low-cost carriers like IndiGo or Akasa Air, this is the closest Air India has come to offering a stripped-down fare while still retaining some full-service features.

What Does Air India’s Basic Fare Include?

Passengers booking the new Basic fare will receive:

• 15 kg checked baggage allowance
• 7 kg cabin baggage allowance
• Complimentary tea or coffee onboard
• Access to buy meals separately before departure

However, complimentary meals are not included. Travellers can pre-order meals up to 24 hours before departure, with options including Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Jain, and Diabetic meals.

Air India Basic Fare vs Regular Fare

Unlike the new Basic fare, Air India’s existing Value, Classic, and Flex fare families continue to include complimentary meals and additional bundled benefits.

In simple terms, passengers choosing Basic pay less but give up complimentary meals and some bundled perks.

Why Air India Is Introducing It

Airlines worldwide are increasingly separating services from ticket prices, allowing travellers to choose what they want to pay for.

What this really signals is that Air India is trying to capture budget-conscious domestic travellers without fully abandoning its full-service identity. The airline appears keen to compete more aggressively on price while keeping premium options available for passengers who prefer an all-inclusive experience.

Where Can You Book It?

For now, the Basic fare is being offered only on selected domestic routes as part of a pilot programme. Bookings are currently available exclusively through Air India’s direct channels:

• Air India website
• Air India mobile app
• Contact centre
• Airport ticketing offices

The airline says customer feedback during the trial period will determine whether the fare is expanded to more routes in the future.

What Indian Travellers Should Know

If you’re travelling light, planning a short domestic trip, or usually skip in-flight meals, the Basic fare could help reduce ticket costs without sacrificing baggage allowances.

However, travellers who value complimentary meals or prefer more bundled benefits may still find better value in Air India’s existing Value, Classic, or Flex fare options.

Travelobiz Take

We see this as a practical move. Air India is offering lower entry fares without removing core baggage benefits, giving domestic travellers more flexibility to balance cost and comfort.