Overview
- Air India launched the Basic fare on select domestic routes as a pilot program, with the airline announcing the move on Tuesday and making the tickets available through its direct channels only.
- The Basic ticket keeps a 15 kg checked baggage allowance, a 7 kg cabin baggage allowance, and complimentary tea or coffee while removing free in-flight meals from the base price.
- Passengers who buy Basic fares can pre-purchase meals up to 24 hours before departure and will receive automatic transfer of pre-ordered meals after re-accommodation or a full refund if a meal cannot be provided.
- The airline frames the change as a way to give price-conscious flyers more choice and to help manage higher operating costs and market pressure from low-cost rivals.
- Air India will monitor booking data and customer feedback during the pilot before deciding whether to expand the fare and the trial excludes third-party travel agents for now, a factor that could affect distribution and agency revenue.