Yes, some Indian airlines offer a senior citizen fare on domestic flights. Akasa Air gives a flat 5% off the base fare on Saver fares to Indian nationals aged 60 or above, and IndiGo and Air India also list senior citizen fares on their own sites. The discount applies to the base fare only, needs photo ID with date of birth, and seats are limited.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
Senior citizen fares in India are small, conditional discounts rather than big price cuts. Here is what is actually on offer, using each airline’s own wording where we could see it.
Which airlines offer a senior citizen fare?
Akasa Air has a published Senior Citizen Fare page, and its terms are clear. IndiGo and Air India also list senior citizen fare pages on their own websites. We were not able to open the current IndiGo and Air India terms pages while writing this, so we are not quoting their percentages or conditions here. We also could not confirm a current senior citizen fare for Air India Express from its own pages, so check its site directly.
The reason for the caution is that these offers are changed from time to time. Older news reports quote larger concessions from earlier years, and some of those no longer match what airlines publish today. The airline’s own page on the day you book is the only reliable guide.
How does the Akasa Air senior citizen fare work?
According to Akasa Air’s page:
- Age: You must be 60 or above on the date the journey begins.
- Discount: A flat 5% off the base fare. Taxes, fees and levies are extra.
- Fare family: The offer is valid only on Saver fares.
- Where to book: On Akasa Air’s website by selecting the senior citizen discount, or through its contact centre.
- Who qualifies: Indian nationals who are residents of India, on domestic direct flights.
- Seats: Limited, first come, first served, and not combinable with other offers.
- Changes: Bookings are changeable and refundable but not transferable, so names cannot be changed.
- Withdrawal: Akasa Air may amend or withdraw the fare without notice.
What ID do senior citizens need to carry?
Akasa Air requires a valid ID showing your date of birth at the airport check-in counter. Without it, you may have to pay the applicable charges, or boarding can be refused. This is typical of senior fares generally: the discount depends on proving your age on the day. Carry the original ID, such as an Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence or voter ID, and make sure the date of birth on it matches the name on the ticket. Confirm which documents an airline accepts on its own page.
Is the discount worth it?
It depends on the numbers. A discount on the base fare only is smaller than it sounds, because taxes and charges are not reduced. A restriction to one fare family, such as Akasa’s Saver, means you give up the benefits of a higher family if you need them. Also, a discounted senior fare is not always the cheapest fare on the screen. On some dates a regular fare, or a sale fare on another airline, can come out lower, and the offers usually cannot be combined.
So treat the senior fare as one option to compare. Look at the total price, the fare family, and the change and cancellation terms side by side before you decide.
What should a senior traveller do before booking?
- Open the airline’s own senior citizen fare page and read the current terms.
- Select the senior option while searching, because it is not applied automatically on every channel.
- Keep your photo ID with date of birth in your hand baggage.
- If you need help at the airport, such as a wheelchair, request it from the airline. HappyFares does not arrange assistance.
- Check the name on the ticket against your ID before paying.
Did you know that web check-in and airport check-in are free on every Indian airline? That means a senior traveller can check in online ahead of time without any extra charge.
Common Questions
What is the minimum age for a senior citizen fare?
Akasa Air requires you to be 60 or above on the date the journey starts. Check other airlines’ pages for their own wording.
Does the discount apply to the whole ticket?
No. On Akasa Air only the base fare is discounted, and taxes, fees and levies are payable in full.
Can foreign nationals use senior citizen fares?
Akasa Air limits its fare to Indian nationals who reside in India. Other airlines may have similar conditions.
Can I book a senior fare for someone else?
You can book for another passenger who qualifies, but the traveller must show valid ID with date of birth, and the ticket is not transferable.
Can I change or cancel a senior citizen ticket?
Akasa Air says the fare is changeable and refundable but not transferable. Charges can apply, so read the terms.
Is the senior fare available on international flights?
Akasa Air’s fare is for domestic direct flights within India. Check each airline for its international terms.
Comparing fares for a parent or grandparent? Search domestic flights on HappyFares, set a price alert, and ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help compare options. Zero convenience fee on domestic bookings.
Rules and fees change. Verify current specifics with the airline, DGCA, or the airport before you travel.
