About Air India
Air India is India's flag carrier, founded in 1932 and now part of Tata Group since 2022. The airline operates long-haul flights to North America, Europe, Australia, and across Asia, alongside an extensive domestic network. A Star Alliance member with a modernising fleet of Boeing 777s, 787s, and Airbus A350s.
Fare structure: Economy (Eco Value, Eco Flex), Premium Economy, Business (Vista)
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About Akasa Air
Akasa Air is India's newest scheduled carrier, launched in August 2022. Operating an all-Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, Akasa has quickly become known for strong on-time performance and competitive domestic fares. Rapidly expanding to international routes from 2024.
Fare structure: Only 2 tiers — Saver (1 piece × 15 kg checked + hand baggage, standard date-change + cancellation charges) → Flexi (recommended — complimentary meal + complimentary seat + hand baggage + 1 piece × 15 kg checked, lower date-change + lower cancellation charges than Saver). Select international routes may also sell a cabin-only Lite-style fare with no checked baggage. AkasaSmiles loyalty programme tracks every flight.
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Best for...
You want the cheapest possible fare
Best: Akasa Air
Akasa Air is a low-cost carrier — base fare is typically 20-40% lower than Air India. Air India's fare includes inclusions Akasa Air sells separately.
You want global alliance miles
Best: Air India
Air India is part of Star Alliance — earn miles across 25+ partner airlines worldwide. Akasa Air is independent; its miles are not transferable to other carriers.
Long-haul international with stopover
Best: Air India
Air India operates wide-body aircraft (B777, B787, A350) on long-haul. Akasa Air is a low-cost short-haul carrier and doesn't serve long-haul.
Travelling with infant or family
Best: Air India
Air India includes complimentary meals, generous baggage, free seat selection (sit-together) — material savings for a family. Akasa Air sells these add-ons separately, which can equal or exceed the headline price gap.
Frequently asked questions
Is Air India cheaper than Akasa Air?
Akasa Air typically has 20-40% lower base fares than Air India on overlapping domestic routes, because Akasa Air is a low-cost carrier and Air India is full-service. On HappyFares, the displayed price is the all-in price (no convenience fee) for either airline.
Does Air India or Akasa Air have more checked baggage allowance?
Air India's economy domestic checked allowance is 25 kg (economy), 35 kg (business). Akasa Air's is 15 kg. If you typically pack more than 25 kg (economy), 35 kg (business), Air India avoids the excess-baggage surcharge.
Which has the better frequent flyer programme?
Air India's programme is part of Star Alliance — your miles transfer across 25+ partner airlines worldwide and earn elite status across the alliance. Akasa Air runs an independent loyalty programme. For frequent international travellers, alliance membership is the deciding factor.
Does Akasa Air have a business class?
Akasa Air operates economy-only — no business class on the network. Air India has a full-service business class with lie-flat seats on long-haul aircraft.
Which has better refund / cancellation policy — Air India or Akasa Air?
Both follow DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3 Series M Part IV — the regulator-mandated framework is identical. Air India's standard fares (Eco Flex, Premium Economy) carry the lowest cancellation fees among Indian carriers; entry-level Eco Value mirrors low-cost-carrier penalties. For Cancel-for-Any-Reason refunds regardless of fare rules, HappyFares Smart Saver add-on covers either airline.
Does Air India fly the same routes as Akasa Air?
Air India's hubs is DEL (plus BOM, BLR, HYD). Akasa Air's hubs is BOM (plus DEL, BLR, HYD). Both serve major Indian metros, but their route networks differ — Air India covers all 6 metros and 70+ Indian cities, and Akasa Air covers similar Indian network. Use HappyFares to see which airline operates your specific city pair.
Can I book both Air India and Akasa Air on HappyFares?
Yes — HappyFares lists fares from both Air India and Akasa Air (along with every other major airline operating Indian routes). The same all-in pricing applies regardless of carrier: zero OTA convenience fee on domestic flights, transparent fare breakdown, no pre-ticked add-ons. Compare and book either carrier in the same booking flow.