Air India tests 'Basic' economy fare, unbundles meals on select domestic routes

Tata-owned Air India rolled out a cheaper Basic domestic economy fare, stripping meals while keeping 15 kg checked and 7 kg cabin baggage. The move targets price-sensitive flyers against IndiGo, but analysts warn it risks diluting the premium repositioning built under the Vihaan.AI transformation since 2022.

— Source publishedThu, 18 Jun, 2026, 12:34 IST·First seen Thu, 18 Jun, 2026, 12:40 IST·Source Forbes India

What happened

Air India launched a new 'Basic' domestic economy fare on select routes, unbundling meals while retaining baggage allowance. Analysts question whether cheaper

Key facts

  • 15 kg checked baggage
  • 7 kg cabin baggage
  • 24 hours pre-purchase

Why this matters

This signals Air India's willingness to fight on price tiers rather than ceding the LCC segment, suggesting partnership or stake conversations should price in a hybrid full-service/budget identity rather than a pure premium reset.