HappyFares

Star Air Review 2026 — 3.7/5

Sanjay Ghodawat Aviation Pvt. Ltd. (Star Air) · IATA S5 · Founded 2017 · HQ Bengaluru, Karnataka
★★★½☆   3.7 / 5
Fleet ~12 aircraft
Domestic 18 cities
International 0 cities
Market share <1% (specialist regional)
Model regional
Main hub Bengaluru
HappyFares Verdict Star Air is a specialist regional carrier — small fleet, focused on Tier-2/Tier-3 city pairs that bigger carriers don't serve. The Embraer ERJ-145 + E175 fleet is comfortable for its category (3-2 seating, no middle seat on ERJ-145), and the Bengaluru-based operation runs well. For city pairs like Hubli-Mumbai, Belgaum-Bangalore, or Ajmer-Bangalore, Star Air is often the only direct flight.

Sub-ratings

On-time performance
★★★½☆
3.8/5
Value for money
★★★★☆
4.1/5
Fleet
★★★½☆
3.6/5
Customer service
★★★½☆
3.6/5
Network
★★★☆☆
3.4/5

Search Star Air flights

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Pros and cons at a glance

✓ What we like

  • Embraer ERJ-145 has 3-2 seating — no middle seat, real legroom advantage on a regional jet.
  • Often the only direct flight on niche Tier-2/3 city pairs (Hubli, Belgaum, Jamshedpur, Surat, Ajmer).
  • OTP is solid for a regional — 78% on its sample routes (DGCA Apr 2026).
  • New Embraer E175 deliveries (started 2024) improve cabin product on busier routes.
  • Strong Bangalore connectivity — gateway to South + West India regional hubs.
  • Fare structure is straightforward — no surprise charges.

✗ Where it falls short

  • Network is small — 18 destinations, mostly Tier-2/3.
  • Limited frequency — typically once daily on most routes.
  • No international flights.
  • Customer service is small-team — call-centre coverage hours are narrower than majors.
  • No frequent-flyer programme.
  • Disruption recovery is slower — fewer rebooking options when an aircraft has issues.

Fleet composition

Star Air operates ~12 aircraft as of May 2026. Below is the detailed breakdown by aircraft type.

AircraftCountCapacityPrimary use
Embraer ERJ-145 7 50 seats (3-2) Regional Tier-2/3 routes
Embraer E175 5 78 seats Higher-density regional + new metro routes

Fare tiers explained

Star Air's fare structure offers 3 tiers that vary in baggage, meal, and flexibility benefits.

TierCabinCheck-inMealSeatChange feeRefundable
Star Saver
Budget regional travel
7 kg 15 kg Buy on-board Paid ₹2,500 No
Star Flex
Most regional trips with flex
7 kg 15 kg Snack Free Zero (1 free) Partial
Star Plus
Business regional travel
10 kg 20 kg Hot snack Free + priority Zero Yes

On-time performance

Star Air is a smaller carrier not always reported in DGCA's top-4-metro OTP snapshot. Internal data (and partial DGCA tracking for routes touching BLR/BOM) place OTP around 76–78% — comparable to AIX, somewhat below IndiGo. Smaller fleet = less buffer for disruption.

Safety record

Star Air has had zero accidents since operations began in 2019. The Embraer ERJ-145 is a globally proven 50-seat regional jet (operated by 100+ airlines). The newer Embraer E175 is also a widely operated type with a clean safety record. The airline operates under DGCA oversight and holds standard certifications.

Customer service

Primary channels: 0900-789-1010, customer@starair.in, @starair_in Twitter. Smaller carrier means smaller customer-service team — coverage hours are slightly narrower (typically 6 AM to 11 PM rather than 24×7). Complaint volume is low because passenger numbers are small. Refunds typically process in 7–21 days.

Route network

18 domestic destinations from Bengaluru and Mumbai hubs. Key Tier-2/3 routes: Hubli, Belgaum, Kolhapur, Surat, Ajmer, Jamshedpur, Indore, Nashik, Tirupati, Salem. Strong UDAN scheme participation — many routes are subsidised under the regional connectivity programme.

Popular routes

Baggage policy

Domestic: 7 kg cabin + 15 kg check-in (Saver/Flex), 20 kg (Plus). Excess: ₹500/kg at airport. ATR/Embraer aircraft have smaller overhead bins — strict on cabin baggage size.

Star Air vs competitors

Star Air vs Alliance Air
Private regional vs government regional

Alliance Air has a much larger ATR fleet and serves more UDAN routes — but Star Air's ERJ-145 has a real legroom and no-middle-seat advantage. Both are regional specialists; pick by route + fare.

Star Air vs IndiGo ATR
Major's regional arm vs specialist

IndiGo's ATR network is much larger (45 ATRs) and integrates seamlessly with the wider IndiGo schedule. Star Air wins on niche routes IndiGo skips.

Star Air vs SpiceJet Q400
Regional turboprop vs regional jet

SpiceJet Q400 has higher capacity (78) and lower seat cost; Star Air ERJ-145 has the no-middle-seat product. Reliability favours Star Air.

Who should fly Star Air?

✓ Best for

  • Tier-2/3 city travellers (Hubli, Belgaum, Surat, Jamshedpur, Ajmer)
  • Travellers preferring jet over turboprop on regional routes
  • Bangalore-origin travellers needing direct flights to smaller cities

✗ Avoid if

  • You need a wide network — Star Air covers only 18 cities
  • You need international flights — Star Air operates domestic-only
  • You need flexible rebooking — single-frequency routes are unforgiving when missed

Frequently asked questions

Is Star Air a safe airline?

Yes. Star Air has had zero accidents since operations began in 2019 and operates globally proven Embraer ERJ-145 + E175 aircraft. The airline is DGCA-certified.

What aircraft does Star Air fly?

Embraer ERJ-145 (50-seat, 3-2 seating, no middle seat) and Embraer E175 (78-seat). Both are regional jets — quieter and faster than turboprops like the ATR.

Does Star Air fly to Delhi or Mumbai?

Star Air operates from Mumbai (BOM) and Bangalore (BLR) as hubs — yes, it serves Mumbai. Direct Delhi flights are limited; many Star Air routes connect through BLR or BOM.

What is the baggage allowance on Star Air?

Domestic: 7 kg cabin + 15 kg check-in (Saver/Flex), 20 kg (Plus). Excess baggage is ₹500/kg. Cabin baggage rules are strict due to smaller overhead bins on regional jets.

Is Star Air owned by the Ghodawat family?

Yes — Star Air is part of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, a diversified business group based in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The airline operates as Sanjay Ghodawat Aviation Pvt. Ltd.

How does Star Air compare to Alliance Air?

Both are regional specialists. Alliance Air has a much larger ATR turboprop fleet + wider UDAN coverage but slower aircraft. Star Air has fewer routes but the jet (ERJ-145 / E175) is faster + has no middle seat on the ERJ-145. Pick by route availability + your jet vs turboprop preference.

The bottom line

Star Air does one thing well: connect Tier-2/3 Indian cities with a jet product (no middle seat on the ERJ-145). For its niche, it's the right airline. The new E175 fleet additions are gradually expanding coverage. For mainstream travel, fly the majors; for niche regional connectivity, give Star Air a try.

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