Air India is a full-service Indian carrier owned by the Tata Group since January 2022, with Value, Classic and Flex economy fares and membership of Star Alliance. Whether it is a good choice depends on your route, fare and what you value. It is in the middle of a large fleet and service overhaul, so experiences can vary.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
“Good” is personal: a cheap domestic hop, a long-haul trip with a stopover and a business-class booking are different questions. Here is what can be said with confidence, without ranking or scoring the airline.
Who owns Air India and what is changing?
The Tata Group completed its purchase of Air India in January 2022, when the government’s strategic divestment concluded. Air India then set out a five-year transformation roadmap called Vihaan.AI, which it describes as aiming for sustained growth, profitability and market leadership.
A visible part of that plan is the fleet. In February 2023 Air India announced an order for 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, made up of 70 wide-body and 400 single-aisle planes. In December 2024 it added more Airbus aircraft to its orders. Orders are not deliveries, though: new planes arrive over several years, and older aircraft in the fleet are being refreshed over time. As a traveller, you may fly on either an older or a newer cabin depending on the route and date.
What fares does Air India offer?
Since 17 October 2024, Air India has used fare families across its cabins. In economy the three are Value, Classic and Flex, and each step up generally brings more baggage allowance and more flexibility on changes and cancellations. Premium economy and business have Classic and Flex, and first class has a single fare.
Which one is right depends on your trip. Value is the lowest price with the most limited flexibility. Flex suits plans that may shift. Always compare what is included on the day you book, because baggage and change terms differ between domestic and international flights and can be updated by the airline.
Is Air India part of an alliance?
Yes. Air India says it is a member of Star Alliance, a global airline group. For travellers, that can matter if you connect to a partner airline on one journey or collect and use frequent flyer benefits across partners. The exact benefits depend on your fare and membership level, so check the details with the airline.
What should travellers know about safety and the Ahmedabad accident?
On 12 June 2025 an Air India Boeing 787 operating flight AI171 crashed after take-off from Ahmedabad. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) published a preliminary report on 12 July 2025. A preliminary report is an early account of what the recorders and evidence show, and it does not draw conclusions or make recommendations. A final report was still awaited in the most recent coverage we found (September 2026), so check the AAIB website for its current status.
It is fair to say that the investigation is the authority on the cause, and that speculation by commentators is not. If safety is on your mind, the AAIB and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) publish official updates, and Air India issues its own statements. This post does not rate or rank airlines on safety.
What does a “good airline” actually mean for you?
Most travellers weigh the same handful of things: the fare, the schedule, the baggage allowance, how easy it is to change or cancel, and how the airline treats you when plans go wrong. No single review can settle those for your trip, which is why this guide avoids scores and rankings.
For a domestic trip, the on-time record on your specific route and the time of day you fly often matter more than the airline’s overall reputation. For an international trip, the connection, the cabin and the baggage terms on your fare matter most. A full-service airline such as Air India may suit you if you want a fare family with more included, while a lower-priced fare may be enough for a short flight with only cabin baggage.
It also helps to know that cabins and in-flight products can differ between aircraft on the same airline, especially during a fleet refresh. If a specific seat or cabin matters to you, check the aircraft type shown at booking rather than assuming.
A short checklist before you book:
- Compare the total fare, including baggage, for your actual route.
- Check which fare family you are buying and what it includes.
- If connecting, look at whether the whole journey is on one booking.
- Read recent changes on the airline’s own pages before you travel.
Did you know? The Tata Group bought both Air India and Air India Express in the same divestment, so the two airlines share an owner but sell their own fare families.
Common Questions
Who owns Air India?
The Tata Group, which completed its acquisition in January 2022.
Is Air India a member of Star Alliance?
Yes, according to the airline’s own press material.
What are Air India’s economy fare types?
Value, Classic and Flex. Value is the most basic; Classic and Flex add allowance and flexibility.
Has the AAIB finished its Ahmedabad investigation?
A preliminary report came out on 12 July 2025. For the latest status of any later report, check the AAIB website directly.
Is web check-in free on Air India?
No. Checking in is free with every Indian airline, online or at the airport.
Where do I ask for special assistance?
Ask Air India directly. Assistance requests are handled by the airline.
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Rules and fees change; verify current specifics with the airline, DGCA, or the airport before you travel.
