“Tailored Travel Air India: Air India’s Fare Families Revolutionize Domestic Flying”

Air India, which is currently running at a loss, has reduced the free cabin baggage allowance from 20 kg to 15 kg for the lowest economy fare segment on domestic flights. The changes were made in the menu-based pricing model fare families that were introduced by the Tata Group-owned airline last August. Air India stated that a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer ideal and has introduced three fare families – Comfort, Comfort Plus and Flex – that offer different levels of benefits and fare restrictions at various price points. Effective from May 2, the free cabin baggage allowance for the Comfort and Comfort Plus categories has been reduced to 15 kg and 25 kg respectively. Prior to the introduction of the fare families concept, passengers on Air India’s domestic flights were allowed to carry 25 kilograms of cabin baggage free of any additional charge. In other domestic airlines, passengers are allowed to carry 15 kg of cabin baggage without additional charge.

Air India’s spokesperson explained that the fare families are designed to let passengers choose the kind of fare and services that best suit their requirements given that travellers today have varied preferences, and a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer ideal. The spokesperson added that the Business Class baggage allowance on domestic routes ranges from 25 kg to 35 kg and the free baggage allowance on international flights varies from market to market. The introduction of fare families is in response to customer feedback and Air India’s own comprehensive study. It is also benchmarked against the offerings of relevant competition in each of the markets where it has been introduced.

The spokesperson further elaborated on the proposition, stating that the price difference between Comfort Plus and Flex fares would typically be around Rs 1,000 in a domestic sector like Delhi-Mumbai, with the Flex fare providing the value of nearly Rs 9,000, including 10 kilograms extra baggage and zero change or cancellation fees.

The Tata Group has acquired the loss-making Air India from the government in 2022 and has embarked on an ambitious plan to revive its fortunes.