Air India vs Air India Express
Side-by-side comparison of Air India and Air India Express: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
India
| Air India | Air India Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | India | India |
| Founded | 1932 | 2004 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Low-cost carrier |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | - |
| Main hubs | Indira Gandhi International Airport | Calicut International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Trivandrum International Airport |
| Aircraft types | 7 | 1 |
| Cabin bag weight | 7 kg (15 lb) | 7 kg (15 lb) |
| Cabin bag size | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (22 × 16 × 8 in) | 55 × 35 × 25 cm (22 × 14 × 10 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 15 kg (33 lb) | not included |
| Online check-in opens | 2 days | 2 days |
| Online check-in closes | 1 h | 1 h |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | +91 116 932 9333 | +91 6360012345 |
Key differences
- Air India Express is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while Air India bundles more into the ticket.
- Air India is a Star Alliance member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
Other comparisons
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.