Air India Reduces Free Cabin Baggage to 15 Kg on Domestic Flights

New Delhi: Air India, under the ownership of the Tata Group, has announced a reduction in its free cabin baggage allowance from 20kg to 15kg for the lowest economy fare segment on domestic flights. This adjustment is part of the menu-based pricing model fare families introduced by the airline last August, reflecting a shift away from the one-size-fits-all approach.

Previously, passengers on Air India’s domestic flights enjoyed a cabin baggage allowance of 25 kg free of any additional charge. In comparison, other domestic carriers like IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet offer 15 kg of cabin baggage without additional charges.

The implementation of three fare groups – Comfort, Comfort Plus, and Flex – introduces distinct levels of benefits and fare restrictions at various price points, according to an Air India spokesperson.

Effective from May 2, the free cabin baggage allowance for the ‘Comfort’ and ‘Comfort Plus’ categories has been reduced to 15 kg from 20 kg and 25 kg, respectively, as stated by the airline.

“In Economy Class on domestic routes, both ‘Comfort’ and ‘Comfort Plus’ fare families now provide a 15 kg baggage allowance, while ‘Flex’ offers a 25 kg allowance. The Business Class baggage allowance on domestic routes ranges from 25 kg to 35 kg. The free baggage allowance on international flights varies from market to market,” the spokesperson elaborated.

The spokesperson further highlighted that fare families are tailored to enable passengers to select fares and services that align with their preferences and requirements.

Regarding the price structure, the airline official noted that the price difference between ‘Comfort Plus’ and ‘Flex’ fares would typically amount to around ₹1,000 on a domestic sector such as Delhi-Mumbai. The ‘Flex’ fare, priced at approximately ₹9,000, includes 10kg extra baggage and zero change or cancellation fees, offering added value to passengers.