At-a-glance comparison
| Attribute | Air India | Air India Express | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline category | Full-service | Low-cost | Different categories: compare on price and service expectations |
| Primary hub | DEL (+ BOM, BLR, HYD) | COK (+ BLR, HYD, MAA) | Different hubs: pick the one that suits your route |
| Fleet size (approx.) | 220+ aircraft | 90+ aircraft | Larger fleet: Air India (more route redundancy on cancellation/delay) |
| Global alliance | Star Alliance | None (independent) | Air India alliance offers points on partners |
| Founded | 1932 | 2005 | Air India has the longer operating history |
| Aircraft types in fleet | B777, B787, A350, A321neo, A320neo | B737 MAX 8, B737-800 | |
| Domestic checked baggage (economy entry) | 25 kg (economy), 35 kg (business) | 15 kg | Compare against your typical packing: a higher allowance suits return-with-souvenirs trips |
| Cabin baggage | 8 kg | 7 kg | |
| In-flight meals | Complimentary meal | Buy-on-board only | Air India includes meals; the other sells on board |
| India customer care number | 0124-264 1407 | 0124-264 1407 |
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 typical fare | Air India Express typical fare | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai to Delhi | ₹9,793 113 flights Air India fares |
₹7,803 59 flights Air India Express fares |
Air India Express ₹1,990 lower |
| Bangalore to Delhi | ₹11,925 122 flights Air India fares |
₹11,193 46 flights Air India Express fares |
Air India Express ₹732 lower |
| Delhi to Srinagar | ₹13,558 97 flights Air India fares |
₹8,821 40 flights Air India Express fares |
Air India Express ₹4,737 lower |
| Mumbai to Bangalore | ₹8,166 78 flights Air India fares |
₹7,999 40 flights Air India Express fares |
Air India Express ₹167 lower |
| Delhi to Kolkata | ₹11,833 126 flights Air India fares |
₹10,412 34 flights Air India Express fares |
Air India Express ₹1,421 lower |
| Mumbai to Jaipur | ₹10,113 60 flights Air India fares |
₹8,695 31 flights Air India Express fares |
Air India Express ₹1,418 lower |
| Pune to Delhi | ₹10,096 111 flights Air India fares |
₹8,432 27 flights Air India Express fares |
Air India Express ₹1,664 lower |
| Delhi to Port Blair | ₹44,735 88 flights Air India fares |
₹36,111 27 flights Air India Express fares |
Air India Express ₹8,624 lower |
About Air India
Air India is India's flag carrier, founded in 1932 and now part of Tata Group since 2022. The airline operates long-haul flights to North America, Europe, Australia, and across Asia, alongside an extensive domestic network. A Star Alliance member with a modernising fleet of Boeing 777s, 787s, and Airbus A350s.
Fare structure: Economy (Eco Value, Eco Flex), Premium Economy, Business (Vista)
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).