Updated August 2026

Air India’s baggage allowance depends on fare and route. Domestic Economy gets 15 kg checked on Value fares and 25 kg on Classic and Flex, plus a 7 kg cabin bag. International Economy gets 25 kg to 30 kg to the Gulf and Southeast Asia, or 1 to 2 pieces of 23 kg to the USA, Canada, UK and Europe. No single bag may exceed 32 kg (airindia.com).

Last Updated: May 15, 2026 | Effective: Smart Fares + Vistara merger + DGCA Power Bank Advisory (Nov 2025) + BCAS One-Bag Rule (Dec 2024) | Verify before travel: airindia.com/baggage

Air India Baggage Policy 2026: Smart Fares, Power Bank Rules, Pet Travel & Special Items Decoded

Air India absorbed Vistara on 12 November 2024 in the largest airline integration India has seen. That single merger reshaped baggage for millions of travellers, because Vistara’s old allowances were replaced by Air India’s Smart Fare structure. If you booked a Value fare expecting 25 kg, walked up with a 26 kg suitcase, and got charged excess at the counter, you are not alone. The Smart Fares rollout of 17 October 2024 (Value, Classic, Flex) changed the entire baggage equation, and most travellers still have not caught up.

This guide unpacks every kilogram, every dimension, every rupee: domestic, international, power banks, pets, sports gear, the works. The figures below follow airindia.com, DGCA advisories, and BCAS notifications published as of May 2026.

Air India fare types explained

TL;DR: Air India’s 2026 baggage policy runs on three Smart Fares: Value (15 kg domestic, 25 kg Gulf, 1×23 kg US and Europe), Classic (25 kg, 30 kg, 2×23 kg), and Flex (same as Classic but flexible). Cabin is one 7 kg bag plus a sub-3 kg personal item under the BCAS one-bag rule. Power banks up to 100 Wh are cabin-only, with no in-flight charging, per DGCA’s 11 November 2025 advisory. Excess baggage runs roughly ₹550-700/kg domestic and USD 10-35/kg international. International compensation for lost bags is capped at 1,519 SDR (about ₹1.72 lakh) under the revised Montreal Convention limits (ICAO, Dec 2024).

Quick Answers: Air India Baggage Allowance at a Glance

Air India’s allowance turns on three things: where you are flying, which Smart Fare you booked (Value, Classic or Flex), and your cabin. Here are the short answers to the questions travellers ask most, checked against the airline’s published baggage pages (airindia.com, May 2026). Fuller tables follow further down.

What is Air India’s domestic baggage allowance?

On domestic flights, Economy checked allowance is 15 kg on the entry-level Value fare and 25 kg on Classic and Flex, plus one 7 kg cabin bag and a small personal item. Premium Economy and Business carry more. Your fare family is printed on the ticket and in the booking email, so check it before you pack rather than assuming the old pre-merger 25 kg.

What is Air India’s international baggage allowance?

International allowance depends on the zone. Gulf, Middle East and Southeast Asia routes use weight concept: Economy gets 25 kg on Value and 30 kg on Classic and Flex. USA, Canada, Europe, the UK and Australia use piece concept: Economy gets 1 piece of 23 kg on Value and 2 pieces of 23 kg on Classic and Flex. Cabin is one bag plus one personal item on every zone.

What is Air India’s business class baggage allowance?

Business Class checked allowance is typically 35 kg to 40 kg on weight-concept routes (domestic, Gulf, Southeast Asia) and 2 pieces of 32 kg on piece-concept routes (USA, Canada, Europe, UK, Australia). Cabin allowance in Business is higher than Economy, up to 12 kg. Exact figures shift by route and fare, so confirm the number printed on your itinerary.

What is Air India’s premium economy baggage allowance?

Premium Economy sits between Economy and Business: around 30 kg checked on domestic sectors, 35 kg on Gulf routes, and 2 pieces of 23 kg to the USA, Canada and Europe, per airindia.com. Premium Economy is only fitted on widebody aircraft, so it is not sold on every route, and the allowance travels with the cabin rather than the Smart Fare name.

What is Air India’s weight limit for a single bag?

No single checked bag may exceed 32 kg on any Air India flight, whatever your total allowance. That is a handler safety limit aligned with IATA practice, not a fee band, so a 33 kg suitcase is refused at the counter until you repack it. Cabin bags are capped at 7 kg to 8 kg in Economy depending on route, within 55×40×20 cm.

Air India Cabin Baggage Rules 2026

Air India allows one cabin bag plus one personal item, with weight ceilings ranging from 7 kg (domestic Economy) to 12 kg (Business and First). The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) tightened enforcement of this one-bag rule in December 2024, and gate agents now reject second carry-ons at boarding (BCAS Circular, 2024).

“Air India’s domestic Economy cabin allowance is 7 kg in a 55×40×20 cm bag, plus one personal item under 3 kg, per airindia.com (May 2026). The BCAS one-bag rule enforced in December 2024 means a second cabin bag, even a small one, will be tagged for the hold or refused.”

Class	Cabin Weight	Dimensions	Personal Item
Economy (domestic)	7 kg	55×40×20 cm	<3 kg under-seat
Economy (international)	8 kg	55×40×20 cm	<3 kg
Premium Economy	8 kg	55×40×20 cm	<3 kg
Business	12 kg	Standard	<3 kg
First	12 kg	Standard	<3 kg

What counts as a “personal item”?

A handbag, laptop bag, slim backpack, camera case, or duty-free purchase made post-security. It must fit under the seat in front. Anything larger, even by an inch, counts as your cabin bag.

Why BCAS got strict in December 2024

Cabin bags get pulled at the gate when overhead bin space runs short mid-boarding. BCAS issued circulars in late 2024, and Air India staff now check boarding passes against a single carry-on count. Bring two, and the second one rides in the hold, with or without your consent.

BCAS one-bag rule explained

What is Air India’s domestic baggage allowance by Smart Fare?

Domestic checked baggage on Air India is tiered by Smart Fare type: Value (15 kg, 1 piece), Classic (25 kg, 2 pieces if the free baggage allowance is 25 kg or more), and Flex (25 kg, 2 pieces). Premium Economy gets 30 kg and Business 35-40 kg, per airindia.com (May 2026). Value is the cheapest and most widely sold domestic fare, which means a lot of travellers now fly with the slimmest allowance Air India has offered.

Fare Class	Weight	Pieces
Value (Economy)	15 kg	1
Classic (Economy)	25 kg	2 (if FBA ≥ 25 kg)
Flex (Economy)	25 kg	2
Premium Economy	30 kg	2
Business	35-40 kg	2
First	50 kg	3

“Air India’s domestic Economy allowance is 15 kg on a Value fare and 25 kg on Classic and Flex, plus a 7 kg cabin bag. Premium Economy is 30 kg and Business 35-40 kg. No single bag may exceed 32 kg (airindia.com, May 2026).”

The 32 kg single-piece ceiling

Every single bag must weigh 32 kg or less. Stuff one suitcase to 33 kg, and it gets refused at the counter, even if your total allowance has room. This is a handler safety rule aligned with IATA practice and applies across all classes.

How piece concept differs from weight concept

Domestic India runs on weight concept: your total kilos count. International routes to the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia run on piece concept, where each piece has its own weight limit (23 kg Economy, 32 kg Business). Confusing the two is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make at an Indian check-in counter, because the shortfall is billed at the airport rate.

Piece vs weight concept explained

What is Air India’s international baggage allowance by zone?

International allowances on Air India vary sharply by zone. Gulf flights give 25-30 kg in Economy, while US and Canada flights run on piece concept (1×23 kg for Value, 2×23 kg for Classic and Flex). Europe and the UK follow the same piece system. Australia and Southeast Asia each have their own tables. The 32 kg single-piece ceiling applies everywhere (airindia.com baggage portal, May 2026).

“Air India’s Value fare to London Heathrow allows just 1×23 kg checked bag, half of what many travellers expected pre-merger. Classic and Flex restore 2×23 kg. The single-piece ceiling is 32 kg across all routes (airindia.com, May 2026).”

Gulf, Middle East & Africa (UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain)

Value: 25 kg
Classic / Flex: 30 kg
Premium Economy: 35 kg
Business: 40 kg
First: 50 kg

Gulf routes still use weight concept. Indian traffic to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, and Muscat is among the densest in the Air India network, and it is the zone where the Value versus Classic gap bites hardest for families carrying gifts.

Southeast Asia (Singapore, Bangkok, KL, HK, Tokyo)

Value: 25 kg
Classic / Flex: 30 kg
Business: 40 kg

Premium Economy is only offered on widebody routes, primarily to Tokyo Haneda and select Bangkok services as of May 2026.

Delhi to Tokyo flights

Europe, UK & Israel (LHR, CDG, FRA, AMS, MXP, VIE, CPH, TLV)

Value: 1×23 kg
Classic / Flex: 2×23 kg
Premium Economy: 2×23 kg
Business: 2×32 kg
First: 3×32 kg

Europe shifted to piece concept post-merger. London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Milan Malpensa, Vienna, and Copenhagen all follow this system.

Delhi to London Heathrow
Mumbai to Frankfurt

USA & Canada (Piece Concept)

Value: 1×23 kg
Classic / Flex: 2×23 kg (total 46 kg)
Premium Economy: 2×23 kg
Business: 2×32 kg
First: 3×32 kg

US Department of Transportation rules on baggage fee disclosure apply on these routes. Air India operates direct flights to JFK, EWR, ORD, IAD, SFO, YYZ, and YVR.

Delhi to New York JFK
Mumbai to Newark

Australia (Sydney, Melbourne)

Economy (all fares): 2×23 kg
Business: 2×32 kg

Australia operates uniformly on piece concept, regardless of Smart Fare type.

Max single piece: 32 kg. Any bag exceeding this weight will be refused at check-in, with no exceptions.

Air India Excess Baggage Charges 2026

Air India’s excess baggage runs roughly ₹550-700/kg on domestic sectors and USD 10 to USD 35/kg on international routes, with pre-booked online rates cheaper than airport counters (airindia.com, May 2026). Excess baggage is a meaningful ancillary line for every Indian carrier, and a large share of what travellers pay is avoidable by pre-purchasing the right weight before you reach the airport.

“Pre-booking excess baggage before departure on airindia.com costs less than paying at the counter. Domestic excess runs about ₹550-600/kg online versus ₹600-700/kg at the airport counter (airindia.com, May 2026).”

Domestic excess

Pre-booked online: about ₹550-600/kg
Airport counter: about ₹600-700/kg
Discount window: pre-purchase usually closes a couple of hours before departure

International excess

Per kilo rate: USD 10 to USD 35/kg depending on sector
Extra piece (USA/Canada): around USD 200-220 prepaid; higher at the airport
Pre-purchase saving: materially cheaper than the airport rate on most sectors

Travellers who pre-book excess baggage online generally pay less than those who pay at the airport counter. Rates are route-specific, so check the exact figure quoted for your sector at the time of booking.

How to pre-book excess baggage

Power Bank Rules: DGCA Advisory 11 November 2025

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued binding rules on 11 November 2025 restricting power bank use across Indian carriers, including Air India. Power banks must be carried in the cabin only, cannot be used or charged during flight (including via aircraft USB outlets), and the capacity ceiling is 100 Wh for unrestricted carriage (DGCA Advisory 11 Nov 2025, plus Air India’s own passenger advisory).

“Per DGCA’s 11 November 2025 advisory, power banks up to 100 Wh are allowed in cabin only: never checked, never in overhead bins, and never charged during flight. Banks of 100-160 Wh need airline approval; over 160 Wh are banned outright.”

Where you can keep it

In your seat pocket
Under the seat in front of you
On your person (pocket, small bag)
NOT in the overhead bin
NOT in checked baggage, ever

Capacity rules

Up to 100 Wh: Allowed, no approval needed
100-160 Wh: Airline approval required, maximum 2 units
>160 Wh: Completely banned in cabin or checked

Spare lithium battery limits

Total spare lithium battery capacity is capped at 300 Wh, or a maximum of 2 spares each between 100-160 Wh.

mAh to Wh conversion table

Most power banks are labelled in mAh (milliamp-hours), not Wh. To convert: Wh = (mAh × Voltage) / 1000. For standard 3.7V lithium-ion banks:

mAh @ 3.7V	Wh	Status
10,000	37	OK, no approval
20,000	74	OK, no approval
26,800	99.2	OK (borderline, carry receipt)
30,000	111	Approval needed
43,243	160	Approval needed (max)
50,000+	185+	BANNED

The popular 27,000 mAh and 30,000 mAh laptop-charging power banks now common on Indian e-commerce platforms sit at or above the borderline. Sticking to clearly labelled 20,000 mAh units (74 Wh) avoids a gate-side inspection that can delay boarding.

DGCA power bank rules detailed

Special Items & Sports Equipment

Air India accepts a wide range of special items: helmets, musical instruments, sports equipment, mobility aids, medical devices, with rules varying by item and route. Special-item requests are common on long-haul services, and nearly all of them need advance notice through Air India Reservations rather than a decision at the counter (Air India special baggage guidelines, 2026).

Motorbike helmets

Generally allowed as check-in baggage. Cabin carriage is at airport security and gate-agent discretion, and Delhi T3 has rejected helmets at the X-ray for not fitting the cabin frame. Best practice: check it in unless your route is short.

Musical instruments

Small (violin, guitar gig bag): Counts as cabin baggage
Medium-large (cello, double bass): Buy an extra seat (CBBG, cabin-seat baggage), or check it
Notice: 24-48 hours advance booking via Air India Reservations

Sports gear

Golf bag: Counts as one piece if within allowance; handling fee may apply on weight-concept routes
Surfboard: Accepted up to 277 cm length, fee on some routes
Ski / snowboard: One pair of skis plus poles plus boots equals one piece
Bicycle: Packed in a box, handling fee roughly USD 75-150 international
Notice: 24-48 hours advance

Wheelchairs and mobility aids

Carried free as additional baggage. They do NOT count toward your free baggage allowance. Manual, electric, and battery-powered wheelchairs are all accepted; lithium battery rules apply to the electric ones.

CPAP machines and portable oxygen concentrators (POC)

Requires prior approval 48 hours in advance. A medical clearance form (MEDIF) must be submitted. CPAP machines do not count toward cabin baggage.

Walking sticks and crutches

Free, and they do not count toward any allowance.

Air India Pet Policy (Updated August 2026)

Air India relaunched pet acceptance on 22 January 2026, ending a suspension that ran through the Tata transition years. Domestic cats and dogs are accepted in cabin (combined pet plus carrier 5-10 kg) and as checked baggage (10-32 kg), with cargo for anything heavier. Each pet booking requires 48 hours advance notice plus complete vaccination paperwork (Air India Pet Policy, Jan 2026).

“Air India resumed pet acceptance from 22 January 2026. Domestic cats and dogs only, in approved soft-sided carriers (46×28×20 cm), 48-hour booking, with rabies and DHPPL/RCP vaccination certificates dated 21 days to 12 months pre-travel.”

Parameter	Detail
Eligible animals	Domestic cats and dogs only
Cabin carriage	Pet + carrier 5-10 kg (verify route at booking)
Carrier (cabin)	46×28×20 cm soft-sided, leak-proof, fits under seat
Checked baggage	Pet over 10 kg up to 32 kg, in IATA-approved hard crate
Cargo (heavyweight)	Pet over 32 kg via Air India cargo division
Booking lead time	48 hours advance plus paperwork

Required documents

Rabies vaccination certificate (21 days to 12 months old)
DHPPL (dogs) or RCP (cats) certificate
Health certificate from a registered vet (issued within 10 days of travel)
For international travel: import permit plus AQCS clearance from the destination country

Excluded breeds

Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers and Persian cats face restrictions or refusal due to heat-stress risk in cargo holds. Check with Air India Reservations 7 days before travel.

Pet travel rules India

Restricted & Prohibited Items

Air India follows DGCA and ICAO dangerous goods rules. Items completely banned include e-cigarettes, hoverboards, e-bikes with non-removable batteries, and any vehicle-grade lithium battery. Loose lithium-ion batteries belong in the cabin only. The Prohibition of E-Cigarettes Act 2019 means vape devices carried in checked or cabin baggage attract penalties in India (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, 2019).

Completely banned

E-cigarettes and vapes, banned under Indian law, in baggage and on your person
Hoverboards, e-skateboards, e-unicycles, because these lithium vehicle batteries are not accepted
Loose lithium batteries over 160 Wh, for any device
Lighters and lighter fuel, flammable goods
Fireworks, flares, signal pistols, explosives

Cabin only (never checked)

Loose lithium batteries and power banks
Vape pens where local law permits, which does NOT include India routes
Electronic cigarette device shells without battery, still not for India

Checked only (never cabin)

Knives, scissors over 6 cm, multi-tools
Sharp tools (screwdrivers, hammers)
Sporting weapons (cricket bats are at agent discretion in cabin)

Limited (within IATA caps)

Aerosols (personal care): Max 2L total in checked, each container up to 500 ml
Alcohol: 5L sealed bottles in checked if 24-70% ABV; over 70% banned
Live plants: Domestic India is fine; international quarantine rules apply per destination

Baggage Compensation: What If Your Bag Is Lost or Damaged?

Air India’s compensation for lost or damaged bags follows the Carriage by Air Act 1972 domestically (commonly applied at ₹450/kg with a per-passenger ceiling around ₹20,000) and the revised Montreal Convention internationally, increased to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (about ₹1.72 lakh or USD 2,000) from 28 December 2024 (ICAO Bulletin, Dec 2024). File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before leaving the baggage hall, or your claim gets much harder to pursue.

“The Montreal Convention liability limit rose to 1,519 SDR (about ₹1.72 lakh) on 28 December 2024 for international lost-bag claims. Domestic claims follow the Carriage by Air Act 1972, commonly applied at ₹450/kg up to about ₹20,000 per passenger (ICAO and Indian rules).”

Domestic (Carriage by Air Act 1972)

Lost (over 21 days): commonly ₹450 per kg, up to about ₹20,000 per passenger
Damaged: repair or replacement value within the same ceiling
Required: PIR filed before leaving the baggage hall

International (Revised Montreal Convention)

Liability ceiling: 1,519 SDR (about ₹1.72 lakh or USD 2,000)
Claim window: written claim within 21 days of receipt (delayed) or 7 days (damaged)
Required: PIR plus boarding pass plus baggage tag plus purchase receipts for high-value items

Step-by-step claim process

File a PIR at the Air India baggage service counter before exiting
Note your file reference number
Submit a written claim to Air India’s baggage claims desk within 21 days
Attach: PIR copy, ticket, baggage tag, receipts for replacement items (toiletries, clothes)
Reimbursement typically takes several weeks, longer on international claims

How to file a baggage claim

30+ Customer Questions Indians Actually Ask

These are the questions that surface most often. Here is the consolidated answer table, worth keeping open in a browser tab while packing.

#	Question	Quick Answer
1	Helmet allowed in cabin?	Check-in preferred; cabin at agent discretion
2	Power bank capacity limit?	Up to 100 Wh free; 100-160 Wh approval; over 160 Wh banned
3	Pickles to UAE?	Domestic OK; UAE customs restricts many pickles
4	Duty-free alcohol limit?	5L sealed (24-70% ABV) in checked
5	Pet travel allowed?	Yes, from 22 Jan 2026, dogs and cats only
6	Sports gear fee?	Free if within allowance; handling fee on some pieces
7	Wedding lehenga / garment bag?	Cabin if it fits dimensions; otherwise checked
8	32-inch TV in checked?	Yes if within piece limits; declare fragile
9	40-inch / 50-inch TV?	Excess piece plus handling fee; pre-book
10	Mixer-grinder, pressure cooker?	Checked OK; remove batteries and sharp blades
11	CPAP machine?	Cabin, does not count toward allowance, 48-hr approval
12	POC (oxygen concentrator)?	Cabin, MEDIF form required, 48-hr approval
13	Insulin and refrigerated medication?	Cabin with prescription; gel packs allowed
14	Breast milk and baby food?	Allowed in cabin in reasonable quantity
15	Stroller / pram?	FREE, gate check or check-in
16	Car seat?	FREE, gate check or check-in
17	1 kg overweight forgiveness?	Discretionary; never assume it
18	Pool family allowance on same PNR?	Yes on weight-concept routes, total weight pooled
19	Online vs airport excess?	Online is cheaper; book before you reach the airport
20	Lost baggage, how long?	21 days before a bag is declared lost
21	Damaged baggage, claim window?	7 days from receipt; PIR mandatory
22	AI Express vs AI baggage?	Express uses its own fare-bundle rules; 15 kg domestic standard
23	International connecting baggage?	Tagged through; allowance follows the ticketed itinerary
24	Zamzam water (Hajj return)?	5L sealed via approved ground handling
25	Bicycle?	Boxed, sports gear fee roughly USD 75-150 intl
26	Snake plants / live plants?	Domestic OK; check destination quarantine
27	Drone in baggage?	Cabin only; batteries under 100 Wh each
28	Liquid limits in cabin?	100 ml containers, 1L total in a clear bag
29	Gold / jewellery?	Cabin only; declare to Indian customs over thresholds
30	Cash limits?	USD 5,000 cash / USD 10,000 total per Indian customs rules
31	Frequent flyer extra weight?	Yes, Silver +5 kg, Gold +10 kg, Platinum +15 kg

Maharaja Club Benefits on Baggage

Air India’s loyalty programme, Maharaja Club, offers progressive baggage perks across Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers. Top-tier Platinum members get +15 kg extra plus dedicated check-in counters, while Gold and Platinum can extend priority benefits to one travel companion (Air India loyalty update, April 2026).

Maharaja Club tier benefits

Silver: Priority check-in plus 5 kg extra baggage
Gold: Priority check-in plus 10 kg extra plus priority baggage delivery
Platinum: Priority check-in plus 15 kg extra plus dedicated counter
April 2026 update: Gold and Platinum can extend priority to 1 accompanying passenger on the same booking

How to enrol

Join free via airindia.com/maharaja-club. Status is earned through tier points, and the thresholds are published on the programme page, so check the current table before you plan a status run.

Maharaja Club explained

Smart Tips to Avoid Baggage Issues

A baggage anomaly at check-in, an overweight bag, an oversized piece, or a restricted item, can cost travellers unplanned fees. Most of this is avoidable with a 10-minute prep routine.

Eight habits that save money and stress

Weigh at home, since a digital luggage scale pays for itself in one trip
Pre-book excess online, which is cheaper than the airport counter
Photograph your packed bag, useful for damage claims later
Pack valuables in cabin: laptops, jewellery, prescription meds, important documents
Keep medication with prescription, cabin-side, in original blister packs
Photograph any pre-existing bag damage before drop-off, and date-stamp the photos
File a PIR immediately at the airport for any baggage issue, because no PIR means no claim
Verify dimensions, since many Indian bag brands sell “55+5 cm expandable” cases that fail Air India’s 55 cm hard limit

Pre-flight checklist

Check the exact fare type allowance on your ticket (Value vs Classic vs Flex)
Confirm your international zone allowance, because Gulf, Europe and USA all differ
Test your power bank Wh rating against the 100 Wh limit
Remove e-cigarettes from any bag, since they are banned in India
Empty water bottles before security
Pack toiletry liquids in 100 ml containers for the cabin

Common Questions

What is the Air India cabin baggage limit in 2026?

Air India allows one cabin bag (7 kg domestic Economy, 8 kg international Economy and Premium Economy, 12 kg Business and First) plus one personal item under 3 kg. Maximum cabin dimensions are 55×40×20 cm. BCAS has enforced the one-bag rule strictly since December 2024, per airindia.com (May 2026).

How does Air India domestic vs international checked allowance compare?

Domestic Economy runs 15 kg (Value) to 25 kg (Classic and Flex). International varies by zone: the Gulf gives 25-30 kg, while Europe and the USA use piece concept at 1×23 kg (Value) or 2×23 kg (Classic and Flex). The maximum single piece weight is 32 kg everywhere (airindia.com baggage portal, May 2026).

What are the power bank rules on Air India?

Per the DGCA advisory dated 11 November 2025, power banks must travel in cabin only, never in checked baggage. Capacity must be 100 Wh or less for unrestricted carriage; 100-160 Wh requires airline approval (max 2 units); over 160 Wh is banned. Power banks cannot be used or charged during the flight.

How much compensation does Air India pay for lost baggage?

For domestic flights, compensation is commonly applied at ₹450/kg up to about ₹20,000 per passenger under the Carriage by Air Act 1972. International flights follow the revised Montreal Convention liability of 1,519 SDR (approximately ₹1.72 lakh or USD 2,000) effective 28 December 2024 (ICAO Bulletin, 2024). A PIR must be filed before leaving the airport.

Can I travel with pets on Air India?

Yes. Air India relaunched its pet policy on 22 January 2026, accepting domestic cats and dogs. Cabin carriage allows pet plus carrier up to 5-10 kg; checked baggage allows 10-32 kg; cargo handles anything over 32 kg. Booking requires 48 hours advance notice plus rabies, DHPPL/RCP, and health certificates from a registered vet.

How does Air India Express baggage differ from Air India?

Air India Express runs low-cost fare rules with 15 kg checked plus 7 kg cabin as standard Economy on domestic routes; on international Gulf and Singapore routes, standard fares include 30 kg (2 pieces), raised in January 2025, while India to Thailand and India to Nepal sectors carry 20 kg. Air India mainline Smart Fares (Value, Classic, Flex) offer 15-25 kg domestic and zone-based international allowances. AIX is primarily for short-haul Gulf and Southeast Asia, mainline for long-haul and premium routes.

Book Air India with HappyFares: Zero Convenience Fee

Air India’s 2026 baggage policy is the most complex it has ever been. Smart Fares, BCAS one-bag enforcement, DGCA power bank rules, post-merger pet acceptance, and a revised Montreal Convention limit are all stacked into one travel year. Travellers who understand these rules save money by pre-booking the right fare type and the right excess weight.

The cheapest fare is not always the cheapest trip. A ₹3,000 saving on a Value fare to London can vanish the moment you check a second 23 kg bag at the airport counter. Calculate your real baggage need before clicking “Book.”

If you want to compare Value, Classic, and Flex side-by-side, with the actual baggage included on your route, search Air India fares on HappyFares.in with zero convenience fee, transparent pricing, and cancellation and rescheduling fees displayed before payment.

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About this guide

Compiled from the airindia.com baggage portal, DGCA circulars (Nov 2025), BCAS advisories (Dec 2024), and the ICAO Montreal Convention bulletin (Dec 2024). Last verified May 15, 2026. Cross-checked against Air India’s published passenger advisories and the Maharaja Club tier sheet (April 2026 update). Allowances change without much notice, so confirm your exact fare and route on airindia.com before you travel.