At-a-glance comparison
| Attribute | Air India Express | IndiGo | Notes / verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline category | Low-cost | Low-cost | Same category — direct comparison |
| Primary hub | COK (+ BLR, HYD, MAA) | DEL (+ BOM, BLR, HYD) | Different hubs — pick the one closer to you |
| Fleet size (approx.) | 90+ aircraft | 420+ aircraft | Larger fleet: IndiGo (more route redundancy on cancellation/delay) |
| Global alliance | None — independent | None — independent | Neither is in a global alliance |
| Founded | 2005 | 2006 | Air India Express has the longer operating history |
| Aircraft types in fleet | B737 MAX 8, B737-800 | A320neo, A321neo, A320ceo, ATR 72 | — |
| Domestic checked baggage (economy entry) | 15 kg | 15 kg | Same allowance |
| Cabin baggage | 7 kg | 7 kg | — |
| In-flight meals | Buy-on-board only | Buy-on-board only | Same meal policy |
| India customer care number | 0124-264 1407 | 0124-617 3838 | — |
About Air India Express
Air India Express is the low-cost arm of the Air India group, focused on short-haul international routes (especially Gulf and Southeast Asia) alongside domestic operations. Following the merger with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), it operates an expanded Boeing 737 MAX fleet.
Fare structure: Economy 4 tiers — Xpress Lite (7 kg cabin only, no checked baggage included, taxes-refundable-only cancellation, date change ₹3,000 within 2 hrs) → Xpress Value (7 kg cabin + 15 kg checked, cancellation ₹4,300, date change ₹3,000) → Xpress Classic (7 kg cabin + 15 kg checked + complimentary standard seat + Lite Bite meal, cancellation ₹2,000 for >3 days, date change ₹300 for >3 days) → Xpress Flexo (7 kg cabin + 20 kg checked + complimentary Prime/Standard seats + Lite Bite + ZERO convenience fee, cancellation ₹1,500, date change FREE for >3 days). Business class: 7 kg cabin + 25 kg checked + hot meals or Lite Bite + Business Class seat (cancellation ₹4,300, date change ₹3,000).
About IndiGo
IndiGo is India's largest airline by passengers carried and fleet size. Founded in 2006, the airline operates over 2,000 daily flights to 90+ domestic and 30+ international destinations. Known for on-time performance and low fares, IndiGo carries roughly 6 out of every 10 domestic passengers in India.
Fare structure: Economy 3 tiers — Saver (15 kg check-in + 7 kg cabin, standard change/cancel fees) → Flexi Plus (15 kg check-in + 7 kg cabin + complimentary meal + complimentary standard seat, partial change/cancel fees) → IndiGo UpFront (20 kg check-in + 7 kg cabin + complimentary meal + complimentary front-row Economy seat, ZERO change fee + LOW cancellation charges, Fast Forward not included). Business class: Stretch and Stretch Plus (lie-flat-style premium seating on select metro/long-haul A321 routes, generous baggage + meals + lounge access). Note: the legacy "Super 6E" fare brand was renamed to IndiGo UpFront in 2024 with revised benefits, and IndiGo no longer sells a "Lite" cabin-only fare on domestic.