Overview
- Air India on Tuesday launched a trial Basic fare on select domestic Economy routes that drops complimentary meals while keeping a 15 kg checked and 7 kg cabin baggage allowance.
- The Basic ticket still includes complimentary tea or coffee and lets passengers pre-purchase vegetarian, non‑vegetarian, Jain and diabetic meals up to 24 hours before departure.
- Pre‑booked meals will be automatically transferred if a flight is rescheduled and refunded if the meal cannot be supplied on the replacement service.
- The pilot is being sold only through Air India’s direct channels — website, app, contact centre and airport desks — and will not appear on third‑party travel platforms during the trial.
- The airline frames the move as added choice for price‑sensitive flyers and a response to rising operating costs; Air India introduced Value, Classic and Flex fares in 2024 and will decide on wider rollout based on booking trends and passenger feedback.