Domestic Airlines in India
India has 7 active scheduled domestic carriers as of 2026. IndiGo dominates with ~57% market share. Air India (merged with Vistara in Nov 2024) is the flag carrier and Star Alliance member. Akasa Air is the newest entrant (2022), while Star Air and Alliance Air connect tier-2 and tier-3 cities under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
- Founded 2006
- Hub Delhi (DEL)
- Fleet ~420 aircraft
India's largest airline — ~57% domestic market share, 2,000+ daily flights, 90+ destinations.
Book IndiGo Flights →- Founded 1932
- Hub Delhi (DEL)
- Fleet ~220 aircraft
India's flag carrier and Star Alliance member. Merged with Vistara in 2024. Serves domestic + 50+ international routes.
Book Air India Flights →- Founded 2005
- Hub Kochi (COK)
- Fleet ~90 aircraft
Low-cost arm of the Air India group. Strong on South India and Gulf routes. All-Boeing 737 MAX fleet.
Book Air India Express Flights →- Founded 2005
- Hub Delhi (DEL)
- Fleet ~55 aircraft
Budget carrier with strong tier-2 city network. Operates B737 jets and Q400 turboprops under UDAN.
Book SpiceJet Flights →- Founded 2022
- Hub Mumbai (BOM)
- Fleet ~30 aircraft
India's newest airline (2022). All-Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, strong on-time record, rapidly expanding domestic and international network.
Book Akasa Air Flights →- Founded 2019
- Hub Hubli (HBX)
- Fleet ~8 aircraft
Regional airline connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India. Embraer regional jet fleet, UDAN scheme participant.
Book Star Air Flights →- Founded 1996
- Hub Delhi (DEL)
- Fleet ~18 aircraft
Government-backed regional carrier on UDAN routes. All-ATR 72 turboprop fleet serving underserved destinations.
Book Alliance Air Flights →- Founded 2015
- Hub Delhi (DEL)
Merged into Air India in November 2024. Vistara routes, loyalty points and operations are now part of Air India (AI/UK codes).
View Air India →Note on Vistara: Vistara (UK) completed its merger with Air India in November 2024. All Vistara flights, routes, and loyalty points have been absorbed into Air India. Book using the Air India (AI) code for all former Vistara routes.
International Airlines Flying to/from India
More than 80 international airlines operate scheduled flights to India. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Etihad are among the most popular for India–Gulf and India–Europe connections. Click any airline to see routes and book.
- Country Sri Lanka
- Hub Colombo (CMB)
- Country Singapore
- Hub Singapore (SIN)
- Country Malaysia
- Hub Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Country Turkey
- Hub Istanbul (IST)
This list covers the most-travelled international carriers with Indian routes. Other airlines — including IndiGo's international operations, flydubai, Indigo, and KLM — also serve India. Use HappyFares to compare all available flights on any date.
How to Book Domestic Flights on HappyFares
Book any Indian domestic airline in under 3 minutes — no convenience fee, instant e-ticket confirmation.
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1Search your route
Go to happyfares.in. Enter your origin city, destination, and travel date. HappyFares instantly shows fares from all domestic airlines — IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and more — on a single screen.
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2Compare and choose
Sort by price, departure time, or stops. Every fare shown is all-in — taxes and fees included. No surprises at checkout. Check whether the fare includes checked baggage (Saver fares typically do not).
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3Enter passenger details
Fill in traveller names exactly as they appear on your government-issued ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport). Add optional extras like pre-purchased checked baggage or seat selection — always cheaper than at the airport.
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4Pay and receive your e-ticket
Pay via UPI, debit/credit card, net banking, or EMI. HappyFares charges zero convenience fee — what you see is what you pay. Your e-ticket is sent to WhatsApp and email instantly. Access it anytime under My Trips.
Ready to book? Compare all domestic airlines and find the cheapest fare for your route — no hidden charges.
Search Domestic Flights →Frequently Asked Questions — Airlines in India
Common questions about Indian domestic and international airlines, answered.
How many airlines are there in India?
There are currently 7 active domestic airlines in India (as of 2026): IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, Star Air, and Alliance Air. Vistara merged with Air India in November 2024. IndiGo is the largest, carrying roughly 57% of all domestic passengers.
Which is the biggest airline in India?
IndiGo (6E) is the largest airline in India by passengers carried and fleet size. With over 420 aircraft and approximately 57% domestic market share, IndiGo operates 2,000+ daily flights to 90+ domestic and international destinations. It has held the top position since 2012.
What are the domestic airlines in India?
The active domestic airlines in India are: IndiGo (6E), Air India (AI), Air India Express (IX), SpiceJet (SG), Akasa Air (QP), Star Air (S5), and Alliance Air (I5). IndiGo and Akasa Air are the fastest-growing; Star Air and Alliance Air focus on regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme.
Which airline has the most routes in India?
IndiGo operates the widest domestic route network in India, serving 75+ cities including major metros and tier-2 destinations. Air India is second, with a growing network following its Vistara merger and fleet expansion with A350, B787, and A321neo aircraft.
Is Air India Express the same as Air India?
No. Air India Express (IX) is the low-cost, short-haul arm of the Air India group — separate from the full-service Air India (AI) brand. Air India Express focuses on South India domestic routes and Gulf/Southeast Asia international routes. It was launched in 2005 and merged with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) in 2024.
Which is the cheapest domestic airline in India?
The cheapest fare depends on the route and booking date. IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet consistently offer the lowest base fares on most domestic routes. For the best price, compare all airlines on HappyFares — the search shows all-in pricing (taxes included) with zero convenience fee added at checkout.
How many international airlines fly to India?
80+ international airlines operate scheduled flights to India, serving major airports including Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bangalore (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD), and Kochi (COK). Key carriers include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France.
What is the best airline to book cheap flights in India?
There's no single cheapest airline — fares vary by route, date, and booking window. The best approach is to compare all airlines side by side. On HappyFares, you can see fares from IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and more on a single screen, with transparent all-in pricing and zero convenience fee.
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IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air — one search shows all fares.
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