When comparing IndiGo vs Air India, the numbers tell a compelling story. IndiGo dominates with a 64% market share, while Air India holds 26.7%. Still, market share alone doesn’t determine which airline suits your travel needs best.
This air india vs indigo comparison goes beyond statistics. You need to consider pricing models, route availability, in-flight comfort, and service quality. IndiGo operates as a low-cost carrier with 91 domestic and 40 international destinations, while Air India offers full-service amenities with a different network focus. Factors like indigo vs air india safety records, baggage policies, and loyalty programs also play crucial roles in your decision.
This guide breaks down everything you need to choose the right airline for your next trip.
Pricing and Ticket Options: IndiGo vs Air India
Ticket prices represent the most visible difference in the air india vs indigo comparison. IndiGo’s promotional domestic fares start from INR 1,999, with international flights beginning at INR 4,699. Similarly, their Stretch/Business class fares start at INR 9,999 on select domestic routes. Budget airlines achieve these lower base fares by charging separately for services that full-service carriers bundle into ticket prices.
Base Fare Comparison: Low-Cost vs Full-Service Model
Air India operates three fare tiers across classes. Economy Value fares provide standard benefits, Classic fares offer enhanced flexibility, and Flex fares allow rescheduling at no cost. IndiGo structures pricing through Lite, Regular, and Flexi Plus fares, each with different baggage and change policies.
Baggage Allowance and Additional Charges
IndiGo provides 15kg checked baggage on domestic flights. Air India’s domestic allowance varies: Economy Value includes 15kg, Classic permits 20kg, and Flex extends to 25kg. For excess weight, IndiGo charges INR 700 per kg at airports, while Air India applies the same INR 700 per kg rate.
Cancelation and Rescheduling Policies
Cancelation fees differ substantially between carriers. IndiGo charges INR 3,000-3,500 for domestic cancelations depending on timing. By contrast, Air India’s Economy Value fare incurs INR 4,000 for cancelations, though Classic fares drop to INR 2,500 when canceled more than 72 hours before departure. Both airlines waive fees for changes made within 24 hours of booking, provided travel dates are seven days away.
Hidden Costs: What’s Included in Your Ticket
Air India bundles complimentary hot meals across all classes. IndiGo operates a pay-to-eat model where passengers purchase food onboard. Seat selection fees apply on IndiGo for preferred positions, while Air India includes standard seats in higher fare categories. IndiGo offers up to 70% off Fast Forward service and 50% off prepaid excess baggage during promotional periods.
Network Coverage and Route Availability
Network reach separates these carriers significantly. IndiGo serves 94 domestic cities compared to Air India’s 45. This indigo vs air india comparison reveals IndiGo operates 2,700+ daily flights to 137 total destinations, while Air India connects 87 cities with fewer daily operations.
Domestic Destinations: 90+ vs 45+ Cities
IndiGo’s domestic network spans Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh with 9 destinations each, followed by six states with 6 destinations each. Air India concentrates on metro hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru with connecting flights to tier-2 cities. When examining route leadership, IndiGo operates 140 weekly flights on Delhi-Mumbai versus Air India’s 205 weekly flights. Air India leads on Delhi-Bengaluru with 138 weekly flights against IndiGo’s 105, though Air India Express adds 21 more.
International Route Comparison
IndiGo recently surpassed Air India with 43 international destinations versus 42. The broader Air India Group, including Air India Express, serves over 50 international cities. IndiGo flies to UAE (5 cities), Saudi Arabia (4 cities), and Malaysia and Thailand (3 cities each). Air India operates non-stop to the United States with 4 destinations, followed by Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom with 3 each.
Flight Frequency: Weekly Operations Analysis
IndiGo maintains advantages on Delhi-Kolkata (77 weekly versus Air India’s 70) and Delhi-Chennai (70 versus 63). Consequently, Air India dominates Delhi-Hyderabad and Mumbai routes through combined operations with Air India Express.
Codeshare Partners and Extended Connectivity
Air India’s Star Alliance membership provides access to 800+ destinations through 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements. IndiGo partners with Turkish Airlines for 30+ European destinations, alongside codeshare agreements with Qatar Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, and Japan Airlines. Air India passengers earn Maharaja Points across partner networks, while IndiGo offers seamless booking through single reservations.
In-Flight Experience and Comfort
Cabin experiences diverge sharply in this air india vs indigo comparison. Air India operates widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777s for international routes, while IndiGo relies exclusively on narrowbody Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
Fleet Composition: Airbus A320neo vs Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Air India’s new Boeing 787-9 features 296 seats across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. IndiGo’s fleet consists of single-aisle aircraft carrying 180-232 passengers in all-economy layouts.
Seating Options: Economy-Only vs Multi-Class Configuration
Air India’s 787-9 Business Class offers 42-inch pitch with fully flat beds, Premium Economy provides 38-inch pitch, and Economy delivers 31-32 inches. In contrast, IndiGo’s A321neo averages 30 inches, with some configurations at 28-29 inches.
Meal Service: Pay-to-Eat vs Complimentary Dining
Air India includes complimentary hot meals across all domestic and international flights. IndiGo operates a 6E Tiffin menu where meals start at INR 400 and water costs INR 100.
Legroom and Cabin Space Comparison
The 787 Dreamliner’s twin-aisle layout accommodates nine-abreast economy seating, whereas A320neo uses six-abreast configuration.
Wi-Fi and Entertainment Systems
Air India’s Vista Stream offers 1,600+ hours of content on narrowbody aircraft and 3,200+ hours on widebody jets. IndiGo trialed 200+ hours through its app on select routes, with Wi-Fi planned for business class configurations.
Service Quality and Operational Reliability
On-Time Performance: Punctuality Records
Punctuality records in this indigo vs air india comparison show IndiGo at 79.80% versus Air India’s 62.7% on February 23, 2026. IndiGo secured 6th rank among Asia-Pacific carriers with 78.12% on-time arrivals across 802,418 flights. Air India reached 90.8% in October 2022, marking its first top ranking in eight years, though performance later dropped to 60.19% in February.
Customer Service: Automated vs Personalized Support
Air India deployed ‘Maharaja,’ the world’s first generative AI agent answering 6,000+ queries daily with 80% resolved in seconds. IndiGo handles 1.2 million monthly cases through 1,280 agents using Salesforce automation. Air India provides 360-degree customer views with predictive AI recommendations, whereas IndiGo focuses on automated case classification.
Baggage Handling Efficiency
Baggage handling complaints against IndiGo jumped from 27% to 42% in twelve months. Air India offers real-time tracking across check-in, loading, transfers, and claim areas, accessible through mobile app barcode scanning.
Loyalty Programs: IndiGo Loyalty vs Flying Returns
IndiGo BluChip offers lifetime validity with no blackout dates, earning up to 16 BluChips per INR 100. Air India’s Flying Returns provides Star Alliance access to 25 partner airlines and 1,000+ lounges, with points never expiring after one flight every 24 months.
IndiGo vs Air India Safety Records and Certifications
IndiGo holds a 5/7 safety rating with zero fatal accidents since inception. Air India recorded 1.09 technical incidents per 1,000 flights in January 2026. Both maintain IOSA registration.
Comparison Table
IndiGo vs Air India: Comprehensive Comparison Table
| Comparison Category | IndiGo | Air India |
|---|---|---|
| Market Share | 64% | 26.7% |
| Airline Model | Low-cost carrier | Full-service carrier |
| Total Destinations | 137 (91 domestic, 40 international) | 87 total (45 domestic, 42 international) |
| Daily Flights | 2,700+ | Fewer than IndiGo (exact number not mentioned) |
| Domestic Cities Served | 94 cities | 45 cities |
| International Destinations | 43 | 42 (50+ with Air India Group) |
| Starting Domestic Fares | From INR 1,999 | Economy Value, Classic, and Flex tiers (exact starting price not mentioned) |
| Starting International Fares | From INR 4,699 | Not mentioned |
| Fare Structure | Lite, Regular, and Flexi Plus | Economy Value, Classic, and Flex |
| Domestic Baggage Allowance | 15kg (all fares) | 15kg (Value), 20kg (Classic), 25kg (Flex) |
| Excess Baggage Charges | INR 700 per kg | INR 700 per kg |
| Domestic Cancelation Fees | INR 3,000-3,500 | INR 4,000 (Value), INR 2,500 (Classic, 72+ hours before) |
| Meal Service | Pay-to-eat (meals from INR 400, water INR 100) | Complimentary hot meals on all flights |
| Fleet Type | Airbus A320neo and A321neo (narrowbody) | Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777s (widebody for international) |
| Seating Configuration | All-economy (180-232 passengers) | Multi-class: Business, Premium Economy, Economy (296 seats on 787-9) |
| Economy Legroom | 28-30 inches (A321neo averages 30 inches) | 31-32 inches (Economy), 38 inches (Premium Economy), 42 inches (Business) |
| In-Flight Entertainment | 200+ hours via app (trial on select routes) | Vista Stream: 1,600+ hours (narrowbody), 3,200+ hours (widebody) |
| Wi-Fi Availability | Planned for business class configurations | Available |
| On-Time Performance | 79.80% (Feb 23, 2026); 78.12% annual average | 62.7% (Feb 23, 2026); reached 90.8% in Oct 2022 |
| Asia-Pacific Punctuality Rank | 6th (802,418 flights analyzed) | Not mentioned |
| Customer Service | 1.2 million monthly cases via 1,280 agents using Salesforce automation | ‘Maharaja’ AI agent handling 6,000+ daily queries with 80% resolved in seconds |
| Baggage Handling Complaints | Increased from 27% to 42% in twelve months | Real-time tracking via mobile app |
| Loyalty Program | IndiGo BluChip (lifetime validity, no blackout dates, up to 16 BluChips per INR 100) | Flying Returns (Star Alliance access, 25 partner airlines, 1,000+ lounges) |
| Alliance Membership | None (codeshare with Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines) | Star Alliance (24 codeshare partnerships, 100 interline agreements, 800+ destinations) |
| Safety Rating | 5/7 rating, zero fatal accidents since inception | 1.09 technical incidents per 1,000 flights (Jan 2026) |
| Safety Certification | IOSA registered | IOSA registered |
Conclusion
All things considered, your choice between IndiGo and Air India depends on what you value most. IndiGo wins on affordability, domestic coverage, and punctuality. Air India delivers superior comfort, complimentary meals, and Star Alliance benefits for international travelers.
Pick IndiGo if you want lower fares and extensive domestic connectivity. Choose Air India if you prioritize comfort, full-service amenities, and seamless global travel through partner networks. Your travel preferences will make the final call.