It depends on the airline, route and cabin. Air India lists a blanket and pillow among its economy features on its newer aircraft, with details varying by route. IndiGo sells a blanket, pillow and eye shade kit as a paid add-on, which can be pre-booked on international flights only. Policies at other airlines vary, so check the airline before you fly.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
Cabins can run cold, especially on a late-night or early-morning flight. Whether you get a blanket without asking depends far more on the airline and the length of the flight than on your fare.
Does Air India give free blankets and pillows?
Air India’s own pages for its newer aircraft list a blanket and a pillow among the features of its economy cabin. When it refreshed its cabin products, it said economy and premium economy passengers would receive a twill weave cabin blanket in its new design.
What those pages do not do is promise the same on every flight. On shorter domestic sectors, the service can differ by aircraft type and route, and I could not find an Air India statement that spells out domestic economy bedding for every flight. Air India has also said its economy amenity kits (eye mask, socks, hand lotion) are meant for ultra long-haul flights, so do not expect a kit on a regular domestic sector.
Is the blanket paid on IndiGo?
On IndiGo, think of it as an add-on rather than a standard inclusion. IndiGo’s add-on page offers a blanket, pillow and eye shade kit, priced from about Rs 200 (check the booking flow for the current price), and says it can be pre-booked on international sectors only. A pre-booked kit is collected on board, and the pre-booking is final once made, with no changes or cancellation.
IndiGo’s international travel tips page also says these items can be bought on board. For domestic flights, IndiGo does not list the kit as a pre-bookable add-on, so assume you will need your own layer unless the crew tells you otherwise.
IndiGo’s business product, IndiGo Stretch, is a different cabin with a different service. Its seat and amenity details are on IndiGo’s Stretch page, so check there for what your booking includes.
What about Akasa Air and Air India Express?
This is where I will be honest: I could not confirm from Akasa Air’s or Air India Express’s own pages whether they provide or sell blankets and pillows, or at what price. Rather than guess, treat both as unconfirmed.
The practical rule is the same for both airlines. Check the airline’s website or app before you travel, look at your booking for add-ons, and carry your own wrap if the flight is early, late or long. Fare family names (for example Saver and Flexi at Akasa) usually describe baggage, seats and changes, not comfort items, so do not assume a fare type includes a blanket.
Why does it differ by route and aircraft?
Bedding is generally tied to the cabin the airline has fitted and the length of the flight. Newer aircraft with a refreshed cabin tend to carry the upgraded items, while older aircraft on short sectors may not carry bedding at all. Airlines that sell comfort items treat them as an optional extra so that base fares stay lower.
A small aviation fact: the cabin temperature is set by the crew and the aircraft’s air conditioning, not by the airline’s blanket policy, and it can feel cooler than you expect once you have been sitting still for a few hours. That is why even a light shawl helps, and why a long overnight flight is where a wrap matters most.
For this reason, it is worth deciding before you reach the airport. If you are flying a short morning hop, you may not need anything. If you are on a long international sector and you want a kit from IndiGo, the pre-booking route is the only way to be sure it is waiting for you.
What should you carry for a cold flight?
- A light scarf or shawl that doubles as a wrap.
- Socks and a thin layer you can put on at the seat.
- A neck pillow if you sleep on flights. Airlines that sell pillows may sell out of them on a busy flight.
- For international flights on IndiGo, consider pre-booking the kit if you want it, since it is final once booked.
Common Questions
Can I ask the crew for a blanket on a domestic flight?
You can ask politely, but whether one is available depends on the airline and aircraft. Some carriers do not carry bedding on short domestic sectors, and some sell it. Do not rely on getting one for free.
Can I pre-book a blanket and pillow on IndiGo for a domestic flight?
IndiGo’s add-on page says the blanket, pillow and eye shade kit can be pre-booked on international sectors only. For a domestic flight, bring your own.
Does my fare type change whether I get a blanket?
Not usually for economy. Fare families such as IndiGo’s Saver and Flexi Plus mainly change baggage, seat choice and change or cancellation rules. Business cabins such as IndiGo Stretch are a separate product.
Can I carry my own blanket and pillow on board?
Yes, a travel blanket or neck pillow is normally fine as cabin baggage. It does need to fit within your airline’s cabin baggage allowance, so a compact one is easier.
Is there a charge for a blanket on Air India?
Air India’s pages list the blanket and pillow as part of its economy features, not as a paid item, but the details can vary by aircraft and route. Check your booking or the airline before you travel.
Will the airline give me a blanket if I am cold and have a medical need?
Tell the cabin crew. Many crews will try to help if they have spare items, but there is no guarantee. If you have a medical condition, carry what you need yourself.
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