Air India is launching a new ticket fare for passengers who do not want to receive a complimentary inflight meal.
Available on select domestic routes, the ‘Basic’ option still provides customers with a checked bag, a cabin bag, and free tea or coffee, while they can choose to pay to add a meal 24 hours before departure. The airline explained:
By unbundling certain services, Air India is enabling price-conscious travellers to pay only for what they need, while preserving full-service offerings for those who value an all-inclusive experience.
Air India introduced three fare tiers in 2024: Value, Classic, and Flex. The addition of Basic reflects the carrier’s desire to appeal to a broader range of travellers as low-cost carriers including IndiGo continue to rise in popularity across the Indian subcontinent.
A year of intense financial pressures has also set the carrier on the back foot, forcing a shift in retail strategy. While early progress was made following privatisation under the Tata Group, the devastating Ahmedabad crash and rising fuel cost pressures have complicated the airline’s plans. CEO Campbell Wilson announced his departure earlier this year, and the board are yet to announce a new leader.
Other airlines have introduced basic or ultra-basic fares to appeal to different customers and boost revenue streams. Over in Europe, airBaltic launched the Economy MINI ticket in May, saying that the change means customers can build the journey that suits them.
Air India’s Basic option will be available only on select domestic routes, but a successful launch could see it roll out across the carrier’s regional or even international network.
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