Air India goes downmarket with ‘Basic’ fare

As if buying an airline ticket wasn’t confusing enough already, Air India has introduced a new ‘Basic’ fare family, adding the new class to its Value, Classic, and Flex fares introduced in 2024. The airline claims it is an effort to “simplify and enhance its customer offering”. Being trialled on select domestic routes, the Basic fare is available for travel in Economy Class and is designed for travellers who want super cheap tickets. It includes a 15kg checked baggage allowance, 7kg cabin baggage allowance, complimentary beverage service (tea/coffee), while complimentary meals are not included. The Basic fare is entirely optional, and travellers continue to have the choice of booking across Air India’s existing fare families – Value, Classic, and Flex – each of which includes complimentary meals and a range of bundled benefits at progressively higher price points. “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. Travellers booked on Basic fares will have the flexibility to pre-purchase meals up to 24 hours before departure, with options including Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Jain, and Diabetic meals. In the event of a schedule change or reaccommodation, pre-purchased meals will be automatically transferred to the new flight, or fully refunded if unavailable for any reason. The Basic fare is currently available on select domestic routes. Air India will assess customer response and feedback during the pilot phase to guide decisions on the future of the offering. Currently, the Basic fare can be booked exclusively through the airline’s direct channels, including its website, mobile app, contact centre, and airport ticketing offices. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]