Air India Express vs IndiGo: Comparison Guide

At-a-glance comparison

Attribute	Air India Express	IndiGo	Notes
Airline category	Low-cost	Low-cost	Same category, a direct comparison
Primary hub	COK (+ BLR, HYD, MAA)	DEL (+ BOM, BLR, HYD)	Different hubs: pick the one that suits your route
Fleet size (approx.)	90+ aircraft	420+ aircraft	Larger fleet: IndiGo (more route redundancy on cancellation/delay)
Global alliance	None (independent)	None (independent)	Neither is in a global alliance
Founded	2005	2006	Air India Express has the longer operating history
Aircraft types in fleet	B737 MAX 8, B737-800	A320neo, A321neo, A320ceo, ATR 72
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	0124-617 3838

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	IndiGo typical fare	Difference
Bangalore to Bhubaneswar	₹7,994 45 flights Air India Express fares	₹10,896 48 flights IndiGo fares	Air India Express ₹2,902 lower
Kolkata to Port Blair	₹10,407 43 flights Air India Express fares	₹10,552 44 flights IndiGo fares	Air India Express ₹145 lower
Bangalore to Delhi	₹11,193 46 flights Air India Express fares	₹10,378 42 flights IndiGo fares	IndiGo ₹815 lower
Bagdogra to Bangalore	₹13,623 39 flights Air India Express fares	₹13,257 41 flights IndiGo fares	IndiGo ₹366 lower
Delhi to Mumbai	₹7,771 36 flights Air India Express fares	₹7,517 36 flights IndiGo fares	IndiGo ₹254 lower
Delhi to Srinagar	₹8,821 40 flights Air India Express fares	₹8,714 36 flights IndiGo fares	IndiGo ₹107 lower
Bangalore to Kolkata	₹8,530 35 flights Air India Express fares	₹12,394 57 flights IndiGo fares	Air India Express ₹3,864 lower
Mumbai to Bagdogra	₹11,032 35 flights Air India Express fares	₹12,223 37 flights IndiGo fares	Air India Express ₹1,191 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 IndiGo

IndiGo is India's largest airline by passengers carried and fleet size. Founded in 2006, the airline operates over 2,000 daily flights to 90+ domestic and 30+ international destinations. Known for on-time performance and low fares, IndiGo carries roughly 6 out of every 10 domestic passengers in India.

Fare structure: Economy 3 tiers, Saver (15 kg check-in + 7 kg cabin, standard change/cancel fees) → Flexi Plus (15 kg check-in + 7 kg cabin + complimentary meal + complimentary standard seat, partial change/cancel fees) → IndiGo UpFront (20 kg check-in + 7 kg cabin + complimentary meal + complimentary front-row Economy seat, ZERO change fee + LOW cancellation charges, Fast Forward not included). Business class: Stretch and Stretch Plus (lie-flat-style premium seating on select metro/long-haul A321 routes, generous baggage + meals + lounge access). Note: the legacy "Super 6E" fare brand was renamed to IndiGo UpFront in 2024 with revised benefits, and IndiGo no longer sells a "Lite" cabin-only fare on domestic.

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.

You need to arrive on time (business trip, connection)

Suited to this: Latest DGCA figures

On-time performance changes from month to month. Each airline's HappyFares page shows the latest DGCA monthly on-time figure; compare IndiGo and Air India Express for your travel month.

Frequently asked questions

Is Air India Express cheaper than IndiGo?

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 4 and the typical IndiGo fare was lower on 4, with gaps between ₹107 and ₹3,864. 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.

Which has better on-time performance, IndiGo or Air India Express?

On-time performance changes from month to month. DGCA publishes each airline's monthly on-time figure, and each airline's HappyFares page shows the latest one. Compare IndiGo and Air India Express for your travel month rather than relying on a long-term ranking.

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

Air India Express's economy domestic checked allowance is 15 kg. IndiGo'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. IndiGo 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 IndiGo?

Both follow DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3 Series M Part IV, so the regulator-mandated framework is identical. IndiGo's UpFront fare has zero change fee and the lowest cancellation charges in its 3-tier economy structure. 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 IndiGo?

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

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

Yes. HappyFares lists fares from both Air India Express and IndiGo (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 IndiGo: Compared