Air India adds Basic fare without meals on domestic routes

Air India has introduced a new Basic fare category on select domestic routes, marking a notable shift in its pricing strategy by removing complimentary meals from the base ticket price. The airline announced the move on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, framing it as a pilot program designed to offer greater choice and flexibility to value-conscious travelers.

The new Basic fare, available exclusively in Economy Class, includes a 15-kilogram checked baggage allowance, a 7-kilogram cabin baggage allowance, and complimentary tea or coffee service. However, complimentary meals are not included, distinguishing it from the airline's existing Value, Classic, and Flex fare families, which continue to offer bundled meals and benefits at progressively higher price points. Air India emphasized that the Basic fare is entirely optional and additive, providing an unbundled option for passengers who prefer to pay only for the services they need.

Passengers who book the Basic fare retain the ability to pre-purchase meals up to 24 hours before departure, with options including vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Jain, and diabetic meals. The airline has built consumer protections into this system, stating that...