At-a-glance comparison
| Attribute | Air India | Akasa Air | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline category | Full-service | Low-cost | Different categories: compare on price and service expectations |
| Primary hub | DEL (+ BOM, BLR, HYD) | BOM (+ DEL, BLR, HYD) | Different hubs: pick the one that suits your route |
| Fleet size (approx.) | 220+ aircraft | 30+ 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 | 2022 | Air India has the longer operating history |
| Aircraft types in fleet | B777, B787, A350, A321neo, A320neo | B737 MAX 8 | |
| 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 | 0124-660 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 9 Nov 2026. Figures computed 9 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 | Akasa Air typical fare | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Kolkata | ₹11,833 126 flights Air India fares |
₹11,016 108 flights Akasa Air fares |
Akasa Air ₹817 lower |
| Kolkata to Mumbai | ₹13,542 114 flights Air India fares |
₹11,144 106 flights Akasa Air fares |
Akasa Air ₹2,398 lower |
| Mumbai to Chennai | ₹10,432 101 flights Air India fares |
₹8,824 118 flights Akasa Air fares |
Akasa Air ₹1,608 lower |
| Delhi to Hyderabad | ₹12,608 100 flights Air India fares |
₹10,626 97 flights Akasa Air fares |
Akasa Air ₹1,982 lower |
| Mumbai to Delhi | ₹9,793 113 flights Air India fares |
₹9,543 91 flights Akasa Air fares |
Akasa Air ₹250 lower |
| Pune to Delhi | ₹10,096 111 flights Air India fares |
₹10,811 90 flights Akasa Air fares |
Air India ₹715 lower |
| Bangalore to Mumbai | ₹8,470 88 flights Air India fares |
₹7,581 91 flights Akasa Air fares |
Akasa Air ₹889 lower |
| Mumbai to Lucknow | ₹10,291 105 flights Air India fares |
₹10,484 83 flights Akasa Air fares |
Air India ₹193 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 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.