Question 1

What is the Air India reservations phone number?

Accepted Answer

Air India reservations can be reached at +91-124-2641-407, 24 hours a day. CheapoTrav also publishes phone-only fares that are not loaded into online inventory — call us first to compare.

Question 2

Where does Air India fly from?

Accepted Answer

Air India operates from 3 primary hubs — DEL, BOM, BLR — and serves roughly 100 destinations worldwide with a fleet of about 200 aircraft. Founded in 1932 and headquartered in India, Air India is one of the larger carriers in the Asia Pacific region.

Question 3

Is Air India part of an airline alliance?

Accepted Answer

Air India is a member of Star Alliance, which means you can earn and redeem Maharaja Club / Flying Returns miles on every Star Alliance partner and use Star Alliance lounges when flying in eligible cabins.

Question 4

What is the Air India carry-on baggage allowance?

Accepted Answer

7 kg + personal item (55 × 36 × 23 cm). Items that exceed those dimensions are gate-checked and may incur a fee, so it is worth measuring your bag at home — including wheels and handles — before you fly.

Question 5

How much does a checked bag cost on Air India?

Accepted Answer

20–30 kg Economy, 40 kg Business, 50 kg First. Elite Maharaja Club / Flying Returns members and passengers traveling in Business typically receive a higher free checked allowance — check your fare class on the booking confirmation for the exact entitlement.

Question 6

What is Air India's cancellation and refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Flex refundable, Saver 50% refund minus admin fee. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment and typically post within 7 business days for credit cards or up to 20 days for cash and check purchases. Travel-insurance or trip-protection plans can broaden the reasons that qualify for a refund.

Question 7

Does Air India charge change fees?

Accepted Answer

Saver $50–$100 + fare difference; Flex free. Same-day flight changes are usually offered as a flat-fee option (subject to availability in your original fare bucket). Note that any fare difference between the original and new flight is always payable on top of the change fee.

Question 8

What cabin classes does Air India offer?

Accepted Answer

Air India sells the following cabins: Economy (31 in); Premium Economy (38 in); Business (Lie-flat suite); First (Private suite (777)). Cabin availability varies by aircraft type and route — long-haul widebody routes generally offer the full premium line-up, while short-haul narrowbody flights typically operate with Economy and a domestic First/Premium only.

Question 9

Does Air India have Wi-Fi on board?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Air India offers Wi-Fi across most of its fleet. Availability by cabin: Economy — Paid; Premium Economy — Paid; Business — Paid; First — Paid. Connectivity is typically fastest on widebody aircraft equipped with Ka-band or Ku-band satellite service; older regional jets may still rely on slower air-to-ground systems.

Question 10

What in-flight entertainment and meals can I expect on Air India?

Accepted Answer

Entertainment ranges across the cabins as follows: Economy — Seatback HD; Premium Economy — Seatback HD; Business — Seatback HD; First — Seatback HD. On the catering side, Economy passengers receive indian regional + international menu., while Business guests enjoy indian + continental tasting. Pre-order meal selection is available on most long-haul routes if you book at least 24 hours before departure.

Question 11

How does Air India's Maharaja Club / Flying Returns loyalty program work?

Accepted Answer

Maharaja Club / Flying Returns is Air India's frequent-flyer program, with elite tiers Silver Edge → Gold Edge → Platinum Edge. Miles can be earned on paid flights, partner airlines, co-branded credit-card spend, and redeemed for award tickets, cabin upgrades, and ancillaries. Elite status typically unlocks priority check-in, free checked bags, complimentary upgrades when available, and lounge access on international itineraries.

Question 12

Where are the Air India lounges and how do I get in?

Accepted Answer

Air India operates branded lounges at Delhi (DEL). Access is generally limited to same-day travelers in Business or First, top-tier Maharaja Club / Flying Returns elites, and Star Alliance elite partners. Day passes are sometimes sold subject to capacity; the flagship room is Air India Maharaja Lounge, known for indian regional tasting bar.

Question 13

What aircraft does Air India fly?

Accepted Answer

Air India's fleet of roughly 200 aircraft is built around 4 core types: boeing-787-9, boeing-777-300er, airbus-a350-900, airbus-a321neo. Equipment is generally assigned by stage length — narrowbodies cover short and medium-haul routes, while widebodies are reserved for long-haul intercontinental flying. You can confirm the exact aircraft type for your itinerary at booking and again 24 hours before departure, since substitutions do happen.

Question 14

Can I travel with my pet on Air India?

Accepted Answer

In-cabin not generally permitted; cargo program available. Carriers must fit fully under the seat in front of you, the pet must remain inside for the duration of the flight, and only a limited number of in-cabin pets are permitted per flight — book early. Service animals trained to assist passengers with disabilities travel free with documentation submitted at least 48 hours before departure.

Question 15

Does Air India accept unaccompanied minors?

Accepted Answer

Ages 5–12: $80 fee, escort service. An adult must complete a release form at the airport, present government-issued photo ID, and remain at the gate until the aircraft departs. The same identification is required by the receiving adult on arrival. Connecting itineraries and overnight flights are usually restricted for the youngest age band.

Question 16

How do I request special assistance on Air India?

Accepted Answer

Wheelchair / sensory accommodation free with 48-hr notice. Requests can be added during booking, in your account profile, or by calling reservations. For mobility devices, give battery and dimension details ahead of time so the airport team can pre-stage the right equipment. Pre-boarding is offered to passengers who self-identify at the gate.

Question 17

When does check-in open for Air India flights?

Accepted Answer

Online and mobile check-in opens 24 hours before scheduled departure and closes 45–60 minutes before departure for most domestic flights and 60–90 minutes before international departures. Airport baggage drop and ticket counters typically close 30–60 minutes before departure depending on the route. Plan to be through security at least 90 minutes before a domestic departure and 2–3 hours ahead of an international one.

Question 18

How can I find the cheapest Air India flights?

Accepted Answer

For published fares, search 4–8 weeks ahead for domestic and 2–6 months ahead for international, fly mid-week (Tuesday/Wednesday) and avoid peak holiday windows. CheapoTrav also negotiates phone-only consolidator fares on Air India that are not loaded into public booking engines — call +1 (815) 473-8090 to have an agent compare them against the best online price before you commit.

Air India

Cabin experience

Airport lounges

Air India Maharaja Lounge

Policies

Fleet

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Boeing 777-300ER

Airbus A350-900

Airbus A321neo

Notable routes

Loyalty program

In pictures

Awards & recognition

Frequently asked questions about Air India

Other Star Alliance carriers