Air India Express vs Akasa Air: Comparison Guide

At-a-glance comparison

Attribute	Air India Express	Akasa Air	Notes
Airline category	Low-cost	Low-cost	Same category, a direct comparison
Primary hub	COK (+ BLR, HYD, MAA)	BOM (+ DEL, BLR, HYD)	Different hubs: pick the one that suits your route
Fleet size (approx.)	90+ aircraft	30+ aircraft	Larger fleet: Air India Express (more route redundancy on cancellation/delay)
Global alliance	None (independent)	None (independent)	Neither is in a global alliance
Founded	2005	2022	Air India Express has the longer operating history
Aircraft types in fleet	B737 MAX 8, B737-800	B737 MAX 8
Domestic checked baggage (economy entry)	15 kg	15 kg	Same allowance
Cabin baggage	7 kg	7 kg
In-flight meals	Buy-on-board only	Buy-on-board only	Same meal policy
India customer care number	0124-264 1407	0124-660 6606

Fares on routes both airlines fly (HappyFares data)

Typical fare is the median of the fares HappyFares recorded for each airline's non-stop flights on the route, from fare searches between 4 Oct 2026 and 6 Nov 2026. Figures computed 6 Nov 2026. Flights is the number of distinct flight and date combinations behind each figure; routes with fewer than 5 for either airline are left out. Fares are one-way economy and change daily.

Route	Air India Express typical fare	Akasa Air typical fare	Difference
Mumbai to Delhi	₹7,803 59 flights Air India Express fares	₹9,543 91 flights Akasa Air fares	Air India Express ₹1,740 lower
Navi Mumbai to Delhi	₹7,750 58 flights Air India Express fares	₹7,215 52 flights Akasa Air fares	Akasa Air ₹535 lower
Bangalore to Delhi	₹11,193 46 flights Air India Express fares	₹12,565 78 flights Akasa Air fares	Air India Express ₹1,372 lower
Bangalore to Bhubaneswar	₹7,994 45 flights Air India Express fares	₹8,658 91 flights Akasa Air fares	Air India Express ₹664 lower
Kolkata to Port Blair	₹10,407 43 flights Air India Express fares	₹13,531 54 flights Akasa Air fares	Air India Express ₹3,124 lower
Navi Mumbai to Bangalore	₹6,175 41 flights Air India Express fares	₹5,277 45 flights Akasa Air fares	Akasa Air ₹898 lower
Bangalore to Varanasi	₹9,802 40 flights Air India Express fares	₹10,453 92 flights Akasa Air fares	Air India Express ₹651 lower
Delhi to Srinagar	₹8,821 40 flights Air India Express fares	₹9,852 76 flights Akasa Air fares	Air India Express ₹1,031 lower

About Air India Express

Air India Express is the low-cost arm of the Air India group, focused on short-haul international routes (especially Gulf and Southeast Asia) alongside domestic operations. Following the merger with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), it operates an expanded Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

Fare structure: Economy 4 tiers, Xpress Lite (7 kg cabin only, no checked baggage included, taxes-refundable-only cancellation, date change ₹3,000 within 2 hrs) → Xpress Value (7 kg cabin + 15 kg checked, cancellation ₹4,300, date change ₹3,000) → Xpress Classic (7 kg cabin + 15 kg checked + complimentary standard seat + Lite Bite meal, cancellation ₹2,000 for >3 days, date change ₹300 for >3 days) → Xpress Flexo (7 kg cabin + 20 kg checked + complimentary Prime/Standard seats + Lite Bite + ZERO convenience fee with promo code HFNCF, cancellation ₹1,500, date change FREE for >3 days). Business class: 7 kg cabin + 25 kg checked + hot meals or Lite Bite + Business Class seat (cancellation ₹4,300, date change ₹3,000).

About Akasa Air

Akasa Air is India's newest scheduled carrier, launched in August 2022. Operating an all-Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, Akasa has quickly become known for strong on-time performance and competitive domestic fares. Rapidly expanding to international routes from 2024.

Fare structure: Only 2 tiers, Saver (1 piece × 15 kg checked + hand baggage, standard date-change + cancellation charges) → Flexi (recommended, complimentary meal + complimentary seat + hand baggage + 1 piece × 15 kg checked, lower date-change + lower cancellation charges than Saver). Select international routes may also sell a cabin-only Lite-style fare with no checked baggage. AkasaSmiles loyalty programme tracks every flight.

Who each airline suits

You want the lowest headline fare

Suited to this: Either: compare same-day fares

Both carriers are in the same fare class. Compare actual same-day fares on HappyFares for your route and date.

Frequently asked questions

Is Air India Express cheaper than Akasa Air?

It depends on the route and the date. On the 8 routes where HappyFares has fare data for both (4 Oct 2026 to 6 Nov 2026), the typical Air India Express fare was lower on 6 and the typical Akasa Air fare was lower on 2, with gaps between ₹535 and ₹3,124. See the fares table on this page for each route. Both carriers are in the same fare class, so compare the total for what you need.

Does Air India Express or Akasa Air have more checked baggage allowance?

Air India Express's economy domestic checked allowance is 15 kg. Akasa Air's is 15 kg. Both are equivalent. Pre-purchased excess baggage online is typically 25-30% cheaper than airport rates on either airline.

Which has the better frequent flyer programme?

Air India Express runs an independent loyalty programme; miles are not transferable to other airlines. Akasa Air runs an independent loyalty programme. For frequent international travellers, alliance membership is the deciding factor.

Which has better refund / cancellation policy, Air India Express or Akasa Air?

Both follow DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3 Series M Part IV, so the regulator-mandated framework is identical. For Cancel-for-Any-Reason refunds regardless of fare rules, HappyFares Smart Saver add-on covers either airline.

Does Air India Express fly the same routes as Akasa Air?

Air India Express's hubs is COK (plus BLR, HYD, MAA). Akasa Air's hubs is BOM (plus DEL, BLR, HYD). Both serve major Indian metros, but their route networks differ: Air India Express covers all 6 metros and 70+ Indian cities, and Akasa Air covers similar Indian network. Use HappyFares to see which airline operates your specific city pair.

Can I book both Air India Express and Akasa Air on HappyFares?

Yes. HappyFares lists fares from both Air India Express and Akasa Air (along with every other major airline operating Indian routes). The same pricing applies to both: taxes included in the fare shown, zero convenience fee on domestic flights with code HFNCF, an itemised fare breakdown and no pre-ticked add-ons. Compare and book either carrier in the same booking flow.

Air India Express vs Akasa Air: Compared