Search & book flights with Air India
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Air India is the flag carrier of India. Based at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, the airline flies to over 100 destinations across Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. The airline is the biggest international airline in India with the largest international route network and is the third-largest Indian airline overall, behind IndioGo and Jet Airways. Although it has a large Indian domestic flight offering, the airline is seen primarily as the main airline flying in and out of the country.
Air India launched under the name Tata Air Services/Tata Airlines in 1932, rebranded as Air India in 1946 and gained its status as India's national airline in 1953 when it became a government-owned company. In 2007, Air India merged with India's other state-owned airline, Indian Airlines and took on all of its domestic services.
In recent years, Air India has put in multiple requests to the government of India for the privatisation of the airline. However, despite this, it is yet to get privatisation. If Air India does get privatisation, it will still remain the national carrier of India.
You can now buy Air India flight tickets in instalments - check out our Air India Fly Now, Pay Later page. Pay later for your flights using Afterpay, Klarna, ZestMoney and more.
Baggage Policy
Baggage policy will vary depending on the cabin class you purchased at the time of booking.
Carry-on Baggage
Air India passengers are permitted one item of free carry-on baggage, weighing a maximum of 8kg. The dimensions of the baggage must not exceed 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm (21.6" x 13.7" x 9.8"). This applies to all flights operated by Air India.
Checked Baggage
For Domestic Flights:
Economy Class: 25 kg, 158 cm (62") overall (length x width x height)
Business Class35 kg, 273 cm (107") overall (length x width x height)
First Class40 kg, 273 cm (107") overall (length x width x height)
Infants (all classes)10 kg
For International Flights:
International flight baggage allowance is dependent on the departure and destination airport and the class that the passenger is flying. Find out the full free baggage allowance for each route.
Cabin Classes
Air India has 3 different cabin classes that you can purchase at the time of booking - Economy Class, Business Class and First Class.
Economy Class
Air India Economy Class provides a range of facilities for passengers flying in Economy, suitable for budget travellers.
Economy Class Facilities
Air India Economy Class passengers can enjoy:
- Complimentary refreshments and meals on all flights
- Continental and Indian food on international flights
- Complimentary alcohol on international flights
- In-flight entertainment
- A temperature-controlled cabin
Economy Class Seats
Passengers can select seats in Economy Class on selected routes for a small fee. They can choose from having a middle seat, window or aisle.
Economy Class seats on short-haul flights have 73–76 cm (29–30" ) of seat pitch and 45 cm (17.8") of width in a 3 x 3 formation.
Economy Class seats on long-haul flights have 78–83 cm of seat pitch (31–33") and 45 cm (18") of width in a 3 x 3 x 3 formation.
Premium Economy
Air India doesn't offer Premium Economy on its flights. For ultimate comfort and luxury, book a flight in Business or First Class.
Business Class
Air India's Executive Class offers Business and Leisure passengers an exclusive and luxurious in-flight experience.
Business Class Facilities
Before boarding, Business Class passengers with Air India can avoid the hustle and bustle of the airport and enjoy exclusive check-in and lounge facilities. Once onboard, passengers are treated to delicious entrees as well as an excellent selection of wines in a spacious cabin with extra-comfortable seats.
What Are Business Class Seats Like?
Air India's Business Class on its long-haul flights operated by the 747 aircraft offers each passenger an aisle or window seat due to its 2 x 2 x 2 formation. On other aircraft on long-haul, seats are set out in a 2 x 3 x 2 formation. These seats give 193 cm (76") of seat pitch and 50 cm (20") of width.
On short-haul flights, seats are set out in a 2 x 2 formation and give 101 cm (40") of seat pitch and 53 cm (21") of width.
First Class
Fly in the lap of luxury with Air India's First Class. With outstanding service, excellent dining experience and pillow-soft seats, the First Class Cabin is for those that are looking for the ultimate flying experience.
Air India First Class Facilities
Air India's First Class includes an extensive menu, which differs from region to region. As well as a full drinks menu, with wine and liqueurs. Passengers can also enjoy a personal TV screen at each seat, with a full entertainment system and access to duty-free shopping.
Does Air India First Class Facilities Have a First Class Lounge?
Air India has a lounge at Delhi International Airport which is exclusive for Business Class and First Class passengers.
What Does Air India First Class Include?
In addition to its amazing food and drink menu, passengers flying in First Class with Air India can also enjoy 180-degree recline seats. The First Class Cabin is exclusive and only sits 12 passengers. This means passengers will always have plenty of room and privacy.
First Class Seats
First Class seats are set out in a 2 x 2 x 2 or 1 x 2 x 1 formation, ensuring that each passenger gets either an aisle or window seat. First Class seats give 203 cm of seat pitch (80") and 58 cm (23") of width.
In-flight Entertainment & WIFI
Air India offers a large number of channels and movies for passenger's inflight entertainment. This service is not currently available on board Airbus aircraft.
Air India TV
Find travel documentaries, popular Hindi shows and cartoons when flying Air India. There's something for every member of the family on board your Air India flight.
Air India Movies
When flying with Air India, you can choose from a range of films including new Hindi releases as well as Bollywood classics. There's also a range of classic Hollywood films as well as foreign language films.
WIFI
Air India doesn't offer Wi-Fi on any of its flights as of now.
Food & Drink
With inspiration from Indian flavours and cultures, Air India provide delicious food onboard. Meal offerings vary depending on the route and class flying and the time of day, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served.
Passengers can select their preferred meal choice before flying, but if no meal is requested, an Indian Non-Vegetarian Meal will be served as normal.
First and Executive class passengers are offered a premium menu onboard their flights, to see the menu offered in the region you are travelling in, check the Air India food page and click the appropriate region.
Special Dietary Requirements
Air India offers a range of different special meals for its passengers, including religious meals, medical meals and meals for infants. Passengers must request their special meal 48 hours before flight departure, especially for Economy Class. For passengers with nut allergies, Air India advise passengers to bring their own food aboard as nuts are served on board. See below for a full list of available special meals:
RELIGIOUS MEALS: Asian Veg Meal (AVML), Hindu Meal (non-veg) (HNML), Kosher Meal (KSML), Jain Meal (VJML), Vegetarian Meal (VGML) and Muslim Meal (MOML).
MEDICAL & DIETARY MEALS: Bland Meal (BLML), Diabetic Meal (DBML), Fruit Platter (FPML), Gluten Free Meal (GFML), Lacto-ovo Vegetarian Meal (VLML), Low-calorie Meal (LCML), Low Fat / Low Cholesterol Meal (LFML), Low Sodium Meal (LSML), Non-Lactose Meal (NLML), Raw Vegetable Meal (RVML), Seafood Meal (SFML), Vegetarian Oriental Meal (VOML).
CHILD & BABY MEALS: Baby Meal (BBML) and Child Meal (CHML).
Drinks & Alcohol
Air India offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as part of their complimentary drinks service on board if the length of the flight allows for it. Business and First class passengers are offered a wider range of beverages, with often multiple brands to choose from.
Check-In
Air India allows you to check in online from 48 hours - 2 hours prior to your flight scheduled time. If you're not able to check in online, then you can check in at the airport.
Online Check-in
Passengers can check in online for their flights. This service is available on the Air India online check-in page 48 hours before departure and up to 2 hours before departure.
Airport Check-in
Alternatively, passengers can check in for their flight at the airport. This can be done either by visiting one of the check-in agents at the airline check-in desk or by using the self-service kiosks to check in.
Frequent Flyer Programme
Air India's frequent flyer programme is called 'Flying Returns'.
Flying Returns
Flying Returns is a frequent flyer loyalty program that rewards passengers who fly with Air India, members of the Star Alliance, select Air India codeshare partners and those that purchase from the airline's non-airline members. For each purchase, passengers gain miles that can be spent toward a future Air India or partner airline flight.
Airline Alliance
Air India is a member of Star Alliance, which is the world's largest airline alliance. Air India is the main central Asian airline that is part of Star Alliance. Due to Star Alliance, Air India passengers can enjoy a range of benefits from all member airlines and will be able to reach parts of the world that are beyond Air India's route network.
Destinations that Air India flies to
Air India flies to over 100 destinations across 5 continents. Click below to see all the cities and airports that it flies to.
Alternatives to Air India
Click the logo's below to find other airlines that fly a similar route to Air India
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Hub Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary airport for Delhi, India and is the hub airport for Air India. The airport is the busiest airport in India, handling around 70 million passengers per year. It currently has three terminals and three runways. However, plans to add a fourth runway and a fourth, fifth and six terminal have been put in place.
Other airlines that use Indira Gandhi International as a hub include AirAsia India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Vistara.
Fleet
The airline's fleet consists of a mix of wide-body Boeing and narrow-body Airbus aircraft.
The airline currently has a fleet size of over 130 airlines overall, made up of a mix of:
- Airbus A319-100
- Airbus A320-200
- Airbus A320neo
- Airbus A321-200
- Boeing 747-400
- Boeing 777-200LR
- Boeing 777-300ER
- Boeing 787-8
Seat Selection
View Air India seat availability on all flights and get the seat of your choice when you book Air India flight tickets with Alternative Airlines. Alternative Airlines give you the option to select your Air India preferred seats through an interactive seat map so that you can sit exactly where you want for the duration of the flight. Visit our seat selection page to find out how to book your Air India seat.
Book Air India Flights In English
Search and buy Air India flights in English. Use our simple booking process to find your flights to India with Air India. With Alternative Airlines, you can book flights in English, use the currency of your choice and rely on our trusted customer service team to help you with your booking.
Buy Air India Red-Eye Flights
What are red-eye Air India flights?
Red-eye Air India flights, also referred to as overnight flights, are Air India flights departing late at night and arriving early in the morning of the next day. The term 'red eye' originally comes from when passengers feel tired and get red eyes after travelling late at night or early in the morning. These types of flights are mostly used by business travellers who don't want to miss a day of work.
Searching for red-eye Air India flights through Alternative Airlines is easy! Follow our helpful step-by-step guide below showing you how to use our search form and how to apply filters to your search, letting you browse the most suitable red-eye flight for you. Red-eye flights normally last between 4-6 hours, but you'll still be able to adjust the flight length that best suits your needs.
Use our search bar at the top of the page to start searching for red-eye flights with Air India.
How to book red-eye flights with Air India
- At the top of the page, fill in our search form with your departure and arrival destinations, the dates you wish to travel, how many passengers will be travelling and what cabin class you'd like to fly in. You can also choose between return, one-way or multi-city flights. Hit 'Search Flights' when you're ready!
- Once the search results have loaded, you can apply a filter to find flights from your preferred airline (e.g., Air India).
- After you've selected the airline of your choice, you'll only see flights operated by that airline. To further narrow down the results to red-eye flights, navigate to the 'Experience' tab and select 'Show overnight flights only'. From here you can select the flight that is perfect for you and hit 'Confirm Selection' to proceed with your booking.
Popular red-eye flight routes with Air India
Red-eye flights with Air India are usually within Asia and the Middle East. For example, there may be passengers wishing to fly from Mumbai to Singapore without doing all their travelling during the day, or business travellers needing to fly from New Delhi to Tokyo without missing a day of work - this is where red-eye flights come in handy. Booking Air India red-eye flights is easy through Alternative Airlines.
- Mumbai ✈ to Singapore
- New Delhi ✈ to Tokyo
- Jeddah ✈ to Mumbai
- Dubai ✈ to Chennai
Can I book Air India red-eye flights?
Of course! It's incredibly easy to book red-eye flights with Air India through Alternative Airlines. Red-eye flights with Air India are mostly within Asia and the Middle East. Use our step-by-step guide above to show you how to search for red-eye flights with any airline of your choice.
Can I buy Air India red-eye flights on finance?
Absolutely! At Alternative Airlines, we have 40+ different payment methods to offer including 'buy now, pay later' options such as Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm. Depending on where you reside, different payment plans will be available to use at checkout. You can find out more about all of our payment methods here.
Air India News
17th February 2025
Air India enters codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia
Passengers flying on Air India will have a seamless travel experience to Oceania thanks to the new codeshare between Air India and Virgin Australia. Air India can now place its AI code on Virgin Australia flights, allowing greater connectivity and an easier travel experience. Passengers will be able to get a streamlined direct flight on Air India to locations in Australia and New Zealand, such as Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Perth and Queenstown.
Oceania has been experiencing a rise in tourists from India, and thanks to this airline partnership, travel will be even more effortless.