Air India Express and IndiGo are both low-cost carriers with unbundled fares, so the real differences are in the details. Air India Express riders can now earn and redeem Air India’s Maharaja Club points, something IndiGo does not offer, while IndiGo generally runs a larger domestic network with more frequencies. Baggage and meal inclusions on both airlines depend on the specific fare tier you book, so compare the fare rules for your route rather than the airline name alone.
Updated September 2026 · HappyFares
Air India Express and IndiGo both compete on value fares, but they come from different parent groups and price their tickets a little differently. One is part of a full-service group with a loyalty programme behind it, the other is a large standalone low-cost operator, and that difference shows up in a few practical ways once you look past the headline fare. Here is how they stack up.
How do Air India Express and IndiGo fare types compare?
Air India Express sells its fares as Value, Classic and Flex, each step up adding more baggage and flexibility over the last; a Light fare also exists but only on Air India Express’s own website and on a handful of international routes, not as a domestic option through other booking channels. IndiGo’s domestic economy runs from Saver, its base fare, up through Flexi Plus and UpFront, with Stretch and Stretch Plus as its business-style options on eligible routes. Both airlines are built around a lean entry fare, so read what each tier actually includes before assuming baggage or seat selection is bundled in.
What do you get for baggage and meals?
On Air India Express, checked baggage typically runs at 15 kg on both Value and Classic fares, stepping up to around 20 kg on Flex, alongside a 7 kg cabin bag on every fare. IndiGo’s domestic Saver and Flexi Plus fares typically include 15 kg checked baggage, with UpFront stepping up to 20 kg. Food on both airlines is largely a buy-on-board service of vegetarian snacks and light meals, unless your specific fare bundles in a complimentary item. Always confirm the exact allowance shown at booking, since it can vary by route and by promotional fare.
What changed with Maharaja Club on Air India Express?
Since 22 May 2026, Air India’s Maharaja Club members can earn and redeem Maharaja Points on Air India Express flights, not just on Air India mainline flights, provided the Maharaja Club membership number is added at the time of booking. This brings Air India Express into the same loyalty programme as its full-service parent, so frequent flyers who mix Air India and Air India Express flights can now build tier progress and points across both. IndiGo does not offer an equivalent frequent flyer programme tied to a wider full-service airline, so there is no comparable cross-airline earning available on the IndiGo side.
How do the two networks compare?
IndiGo runs the larger overall domestic network by number of routes and daily departures, with a schedule built around fast turnarounds on trunk and regional routes. Air India Express has been steadily adding domestic destinations through 2026 alongside its established international network to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and other short and medium-haul points, making it a strong option for travellers connecting onward internationally through Air India Express and Air India together. For your specific city pair, it is worth checking which airline actually flies the route and how many daily options each offers, since neither carrier serves every Indian airport and the better schedule can vary a lot city by city.
Common Questions
Is Air India Express part of Air India?
Yes, Air India Express operates as Air India’s low-cost subsidiary within the Tata-owned Air India group, which is why its loyalty points now flow into the same Maharaja Club programme as Air India mainline flights.
Which airline is cheaper, Air India Express or IndiGo?
Neither is consistently cheaper. Prices move with route, season, demand and how early you book, so compare both directly for your specific travel dates rather than assuming one is always the lower fare.
Do I need to be a Maharaja Club member to fly Air India Express?
No, membership is free and optional. You only need it if you want to earn or redeem Maharaja Points on your Air India Express flight, and you must add your membership number at the time of booking to earn points.
Can I redeem IndiGo bookings for airline miles?
IndiGo does not run a frequent flyer points programme comparable to Maharaja Club. Any rewards on IndiGo bookings would come from a separate loyalty or credit card programme rather than the airline itself.
Does Air India Express fly internationally?
Yes, Air India Express operates a network of short and medium-haul international routes, particularly to the Gulf and Southeast Asia, alongside its growing domestic network.
Which airline has more legroom in economy?
Seat pitch varies by aircraft and fare rather than by airline brand alone. Extra legroom or preferred seating is generally a paid add-on on both Air India Express and IndiGo, so check the seat map at booking.
Do both airlines fly the same type of aircraft?
No. IndiGo flies the Airbus A320 family across its network, while Air India Express flies mainly Boeing 737s alongside some Airbus A320-family aircraft. Both are single-aisle narrow-body jets suited to short and medium-haul routes, but the two fleets come from different manufacturers.
Comparing Air India Express and IndiGo for your trip? Search flights on HappyFares with zero convenience fee on domestic bookings, set a price alert, and ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help you pick the right fare.
Fares, baggage allowances and loyalty programme terms change often. Verify current specifics with the airline before you travel.
