Akasa Air vs IndiGo: Comparison Guide

At-a-glance comparison

Attribute	Akasa Air	IndiGo	Notes
Airline category	Low-cost	Low-cost	Same category, a direct comparison
Primary hub	BOM (+ DEL, BLR, HYD)	DEL (+ BOM, BLR, HYD)	Different hubs: pick the one that suits your route
Fleet size (approx.)	30+ 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	2022	2006	IndiGo has the longer operating history
Aircraft types in fleet	B737 MAX 8	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	0124-660 6606	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	Akasa Air typical fare	IndiGo typical fare	Difference
Bangalore to Kolkata	₹10,643 100 flights Akasa Air fares	₹12,394 57 flights IndiGo fares	Akasa Air ₹1,751 lower
Bangalore to Chandigarh	₹10,519 116 flights Akasa Air fares	₹12,613 55 flights IndiGo fares	Akasa Air ₹2,094 lower
Bangalore to Bhubaneswar	₹8,658 91 flights Akasa Air fares	₹10,896 48 flights IndiGo fares	Akasa Air ₹2,238 lower
Kolkata to Port Blair	₹13,531 54 flights Akasa Air fares	₹10,552 44 flights IndiGo fares	IndiGo ₹2,979 lower
Bangalore to Delhi	₹12,565 78 flights Akasa Air fares	₹10,378 42 flights IndiGo fares	IndiGo ₹2,187 lower
Bagdogra to Bangalore	₹12,339 100 flights Akasa Air fares	₹13,257 41 flights IndiGo fares	Akasa Air ₹918 lower
Port Blair to Chennai	₹13,440 92 flights Akasa Air fares	₹13,424 41 flights IndiGo fares	IndiGo ₹16 lower
Chennai to Mumbai	₹9,190 78 flights Akasa Air fares	₹14,774 40 flights IndiGo fares	Akasa Air ₹5,584 lower

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.

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 Akasa Air for your travel month.

Frequently asked questions

Is Akasa Air 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 Akasa Air fare was lower on 5 and the typical IndiGo fare was lower on 3, with gaps between ₹16 and ₹5,584. 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 Akasa Air?

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 Akasa Air for your travel month rather than relying on a long-term ranking.

Does Akasa Air or IndiGo have more checked baggage allowance?

Akasa Air'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?

Akasa Air 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, Akasa Air 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 Akasa Air fly the same routes as IndiGo?

Akasa Air's hubs is BOM (plus DEL, BLR, HYD). IndiGo's hubs is DEL (plus BOM, BLR, HYD). Both serve major Indian metros, but their route networks differ: Akasa Air 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 Akasa Air and IndiGo on HappyFares?

Yes. HappyFares lists fares from both Akasa Air 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.

Akasa Air vs IndiGo: Compared