Air India Express Fare Types — Complete Comparison

Pick the right fare for your trip — compare baggage, cancellation, seat, meal and miles across all Air India Express (IX) fare classes. Last verified 2026-09-21.

See Comparison Table ↓ ← Air India Express Overview

Air India Express sells an Xpress fare ladder. Baggage is the difference at the bottom (Xpress Lite carries no checked bag at all) and flexibility is the difference at the top: every fare except Xpress Flex carries the same cancellation and change fee. Figures below are DOMESTIC; Gulf and Southeast Asia allowances are higher.

Quick Pick — Which Air India Express Fare Should You Choose?

Cheapest
Xpress Lite
Cabin-bag-only travellers on short sectors
Best Value
Xpress Classic
Travellers who want the bundle without paying for Flex
Most Flexible
Xpress Flex
Travellers whose dates may move
Fare details verified on 2026-09-21 from official Air India Express sources. Airlines update fare structures periodically — always confirm at www.airindiaexpress.com before booking.

Air India Express Fare Types — Side-by-Side Comparison

This comparison shows the typical inclusions for each Air India Express fare class. Inclusions can vary by route — the fare comparison shown at booking is always authoritative.

  Xpress Lite Economy (Saver) Xpress Value Economy Xpress Classic Economy Xpress Flex Economy (Flex bundle) Xpress Biz Business
Description A cabin-baggage-only fare with NO free checked bag at all. Add one at booking if you need it, which is cheaper than paying at the airport.The standard fare and the cheapest that includes a checked bag. Fees match Lite, so what you buy is the 15 kg.Carries the same 15 kg as Value with extra bundled inclusions. Cancellation and change fees are unchanged.The flexible fare, and the only one where fees change. It drops the change fee to ₹300 against ₹3,000 on every other fare, which is the entire reason to buy it.The business product on routes that carry it, with the largest checked allowance in the ladder. Fees follow the standard non-Flex schedule.
Cabin baggage 7 kg (1 piece)7 kg (1 piece)7 kg (1 piece)7 kg (1 piece)7 kg (1 piece)
Checked baggage None. 0 kg checked, cabin only15 kg domestic15 kg domestic, same as Xpress Value20 kg domestic25 kg domestic
Seat selection ChargeableChargeableVaries by bundle, confirm at bookingIncludedIncluded
Meals Not included (chargeable on board)Not included (chargeable on board)Varies by bundle, confirm at bookingIncludedIncluded
Cancellation fee Domestic: up to ₹4,300Domestic: up to ₹4,300, same as every non-Flex fareDomestic: up to ₹4,300, same as every non-Flex fareDomestic: up to ₹2,000 at 72 hr or more, up to ₹3,000 inside 72 hrDomestic: up to ₹4,300, same as every non-Flex fare
Reschedule fee Domestic: ₹3,000 + fare differenceDomestic: ₹3,000 + fare differenceDomestic: ₹3,000 + fare differenceDomestic: ₹300 more than 72 hr out, up to ₹1,000 inside 72 hr, + fare differenceDomestic: ₹3,000 + fare difference
Refundability Refundable after the fee; statutory taxes always refundableRefundable after the feeRefundable after the feeRefundable after the fee, the lowest on Air India ExpressRefundable after the fee
Miles earning Maharaja Club points where applicableMaharaja Club points where applicableMaharaja Club points where applicableMaharaja Club points where applicableMaharaja Club points where applicable
Ideal for Cabin-bag-only travellers on short sectorsMost travellers who need one checked bagTravellers who want the bundle without paying for FlexTravellers whose dates may moveBusiness travel on selected routes

Air India Express Fare Classes — Detailed Breakdown

Xpress Lite Economy (Saver)

A cabin-baggage-only fare with NO free checked bag at all. Add one at booking if you need it, which is cheaper than paying at the airport.

7 kg (1 piece)
None. 0 kg checked, cabin only
Chargeable
Not included (chargeable on board)
Domestic: up to ₹4,300
Domestic: ₹3,000 + fare difference
Refundable after the fee; statutory taxes always refundable
Maharaja Club points where applicable
Cabin-bag-only travellers on short sectors
Lowest fareCabin bag only
Xpress Value Economy

The standard fare and the cheapest that includes a checked bag. Fees match Lite, so what you buy is the 15 kg.

7 kg (1 piece)
15 kg domestic
Chargeable
Not included (chargeable on board)
Domestic: up to ₹4,300, same as every non-Flex fare
Domestic: ₹3,000 + fare difference
Refundable after the fee
Maharaja Club points where applicable
Most travellers who need one checked bag
15 kg includedStandard fare
Xpress Classic Economy

Carries the same 15 kg as Value with extra bundled inclusions. Cancellation and change fees are unchanged.

7 kg (1 piece)
15 kg domestic, same as Xpress Value
Varies by bundle, confirm at booking
Varies by bundle, confirm at booking
Domestic: up to ₹4,300, same as every non-Flex fare
Domestic: ₹3,000 + fare difference
Refundable after the fee
Maharaja Club points where applicable
Travellers who want the bundle without paying for Flex
15 kg includedBundled inclusions
Xpress Flex Economy (Flex bundle)

The flexible fare, and the only one where fees change. It drops the change fee to ₹300 against ₹3,000 on every other fare, which is the entire reason to buy it.

7 kg (1 piece)
20 kg domestic
Included
Included
Domestic: up to ₹2,000 at 72 hr or more, up to ₹3,000 inside 72 hr
Domestic: ₹300 more than 72 hr out, up to ₹1,000 inside 72 hr, + fare difference
Refundable after the fee, the lowest on Air India Express
Maharaja Club points where applicable
Travellers whose dates may move
20 kg baggage₹300 changes beyond 72 hr
Xpress Biz Business

The business product on routes that carry it, with the largest checked allowance in the ladder. Fees follow the standard non-Flex schedule.

7 kg (1 piece)
25 kg domestic
Included
Included
Domestic: up to ₹4,300, same as every non-Flex fare
Domestic: ₹3,000 + fare difference
Refundable after the fee
Maharaja Club points where applicable
Business travel on selected routes
25 kg baggageBusiness seat

Air India Express International Routes — Baggage & Cancellation by Zone

Air India Express sets the international allowance by REGION and it is a piece concept, not the weight concept used on domestic sectors. Xpress Lite carries no free checked bag on any route, international included.

Route zone Free checked baggage Cancellation
India to Gulf (UAE, Bahrain, Saudi, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait) and Singapore 30 kg across 2 pieces on Xpress Value, Family, Return and Flex Per the Xpress fare rule for the sector; Flex remains the cheapest to cancel
India to Thailand and Nepal 20 kg across 2 pieces Per the Xpress fare rule for the sector
Xpress Lite, every international route None. Cabin baggage only, add a bag at booking Per the Xpress fare rule for the sector

General Cancellation & Reschedule Notes

Air India Express charges ONE standard DOMESTIC cancellation fee of up to ₹4,300 across Lite, Value, Classic, Family, Return, Defence and Biz. Only Xpress Flex differs, at up to ₹2,000 if you cancel 72 hours or more before departure and up to ₹3,000 inside 72 hours. Cancellation is permitted up to 2 hours before departure; inside that you are a no-show and the airfare is forfeited, with only statutory taxes refundable on request. As a low-cost carrier the figure is all-inclusive, so no separate GST or refund application fee applies.

The date-change fee is ₹3,000 plus fare difference on every fare except Xpress Flex, which is ₹300 beyond 72 hours and up to ₹1,000 inside 72 hours. Corporate fares are cheaper still: ₹500 on Corporate Value and free on Corporate Flex and Fixed. Changes are allowed up to 2 hours before departure. Because the gap between ₹300 and ₹3,000 is so wide, Xpress Flex usually pays for itself the first time a date moves.

DGCA passenger rights: Under India's Civil Aviation Requirements, statutory taxes (PSF, UDF, GST on taxes) are always refundable on request even for non-refundable fares. If Air India Express cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund or alternate flight at no extra cost.

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Air India Express Baggage Allowance Cabin, checked & excess baggage
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Air India Express Fare Types — Frequently Asked Questions

The cheapest Air India Express fare is Xpress Lite — A cabin-baggage-only fare with NO free checked bag at all. Add one at booking if you need it, which is cheaper than paying at the airport. It includes none. 0 kg checked, cabin only of checked baggage with 7 kg (1 piece) cabin baggage. Seat selection is chargeable and meals are not included (chargeable on board). Cancellation: domestic: up to ₹4,300.
Xpress Lite is the lowest Air India Express fare that typically includes a complimentary meal — A cabin-baggage-only fare with NO free checked bag at all. Add one at booking if you need it, which is cheaper than paying at the airport. Higher tiers above this fare also include meals. Lower fares charge separately for in-flight meals.
Xpress Lite is typically the least refundable Air India Express fare — refundable after the fee; statutory taxes always refundable. Statutory government taxes (PSF, UDF, GST on taxes) are always refundable on request even on non-refundable fares. For the most flexible refund terms, choose Xpress Biz or above.
Xpress Lite on Air India Express typically includes 7 kg (1 piece) of cabin baggage and none. 0 kg checked, cabin only of checked baggage. Allowances can vary by route — international flights typically have higher allowances than domestic short-haul. Confirm the exact allowance at booking.
Seat selection on Air India Express Xpress Lite is chargeable. Air India Express usually charges separately for advance seat selection on this fare. The cheapest fare that includes it is Xpress Flex, where seat selection is included.
Xpress Flex typically has domestic: ₹300 more than 72 hr out, up to ₹1,000 inside 72 hr, + fare difference. Fare difference still applies if the new flight is more expensive. Refundable after the fee, the lowest on Air India Express. Change fees vary by route, time-to-departure and destination — confirm exact fees in the fare rules at booking.
For long-haul business trips on Air India Express, Xpress Biz is the strongest pick — The business product on routes that carry it, with the largest checked allowance in the ladder. Fees follow the standard non-Flex schedule. For shorter sectors or budget-conscious business travel, Xpress Flex delivers maximum flexibility in economy with 20 kg domestic of baggage and refundable after the fee, the lowest on air india express.
Air India Express does not usually allow direct fare-tier upgrades after booking. To change to a more flexible fare, you would typically need to cancel the existing booking (subject to the original fare's cancellation rules) and book the new fare. Some airlines offer paid upgrades at check-in subject to availability — confirm at the Air India Express website.
No — Air India Express fare-class inclusions can vary between domestic and international routes, and between short-haul and long-haul flights. Baggage allowances are typically higher on international routes; meals and seat selection rules may also differ. Always check the fare comparison shown at booking before paying.
The most authoritative source for Air India Express fare-class rules is the official Air India Express website at https://www.airindiaexpress.com. The fare comparison page shows current inclusions at the time of booking. The data on this page was last verified on 2026-09-21.