AirAsia India / Air India Express Fare Types 2026 — Light, Value, Classic, Flex, Business Explained

The AirAsia India-Air India Express merger reshaped India’s low-cost landscape. Completed on 1 October 2024, the merger combined both carriers’ networks into a single IX-coded airline under the Tata-owned Air India group (Air India Express merger release, 2024). For travellers who booked AirAsia India flights before the merger, those bookings now fly as Air India Express.

This guide explains the five fare types you’ll see when booking Air India Express in 2026 — what each includes, what costs extra, and which suits which kind of traveller. low-cost carrier basics

What changed after the AirAsia India merger?

The AirAsia India brand no longer exists after October 2024. All flights now operate as Air India Express under the IX code, with a unified fleet of Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. The merger added roughly 28 domestic and 14 international routes to the combined network, according to Air India Express (2025).

The AirAsia India merger into Air India Express was completed on 1 October 2024, consolidating two Tata group low-cost airlines into a single IX-coded carrier with over 90 aircraft and 75+ destinations by 2026 (Air India Express corporate updates, 2026).

What happened to existing AirAsia India bookings

Existing bookings were migrated to Air India Express with the same PNR and seat. Passengers were informed by email. Baggage allowances on migrated tickets followed the original fare rules, not the new Air India Express structure.

What the new combined carrier looks like

Air India Express now serves domestic routes (former AirAsia India network) and Gulf/Southeast Asia international routes (former Air India Express network). The fare structure was harmonised into a single Light, Value, Classic, Flex and Business naming system in late 2024.

What is Value and who is it for?

Value is Air India Express’s second-cheapest published fare in 2026, after Light. It includes 15kg checked baggage and 7kg cabin baggage but excludes meals and free seat selection. Change fees follow the standard AIX schedule — ₹3,000 plus fare difference on domestic routes, and ₹4,000 on international Gulf, Singapore and Thailand sectors (Kuwait ₹4,750)Air India Express fare rules, 2026).

Value suits travellers with fixed plans who don’t need add-ons. If you’re flying Bengaluru-Goa for a weekend and carrying one cabin bag plus one check-in bag under 15kg, Value is almost always the best value.

What’s included

Value covers the seat, the flight, and 15kg check-in plus 7kg cabin. In-flight entertainment isn’t standard on short-haul routes. Water is served; other refreshments are purchased onboard.

What costs extra

Seat selection runs ₹150-500 depending on seat type and route. Pre-booked meals cost ₹250-450. Extra baggage in 5kg increments starts at ₹500. Priority check-in and boarding bundles are available at ₹400-600.

What does Classic add over Value?

Classic sits above Value in the fare ladder. It includes 15 kg checked baggage (domestic), a free standard seat and a meal, for a lower change fee than Value’s. Classic suits leisure travellers who want a seat and meal included without paying for Flex, per Air India Express (2026).

Classic includes the same 15 kg checked baggage as Value, plus a free standard seat and a meal. Cancellation on Classic costs about ₹2,000 more than 3 days before departure (₹3,000 inside that window), and the date-change fee is about ₹300 outside 3 days or ₹1,000 inside it (Air India Express fare guide, 2026).

Who should pick Classic

Pick Classic if you’re travelling with family or friends and want seats together and a meal included, without paying for Flex. We’ve found that the free seat selection alone often justifies the small price gap over Value for group bookings.

What does Business include?

Business is Air India Express’s business-cabin fare. It includes 25 kg checked baggage on domestic flights and 40 kg (2 pieces) on international routes, 7kg cabin baggage, a complimentary meal, and preferred (business) seat selection. Change and cancellation fees follow the standard AIX fee schedule (the reduced-fee tier is Flex, sold separately) (Air India Express, 2026).

Business on Dubai or Sharjah routes often undercuts full-service carrier economy fares while including comparable baggage and a meal, making it a quiet sweet spot for Gulf travel.

Business on international routes

For Gulf and Southeast Asia flights, Business includes 40 kg of checked baggage across 2 pieces, which helps travellers carrying gifts or bulk purchases. The meal is usually Indian vegetarian and pre-selected.

Change and refund rules

Business date changes carry the standard fee — ₹3,000 on domestic routes and ₹4,000 on international Gulf, Singapore and Thailand sectors — plus any fare difference (per the official Air India Express fare rule sheet, 2026). Cancellation is allowed with a fee — up to ₹4,300 on domestic routes and ₹8,000 on international Gulf, Singapore and Thailand sectors (Dhaka and Kathmandu ₹4,300) — deducted from the fare, with the balance refunded. Cancellation within 24 hours of booking is free when the booking was made 7 or more days before departure; within 2 hours of departure, no-show rules apply and only taxes are refundable.

How should Indian travellers choose an Air India Express fare?

For 65% of domestic leisure trips under 3 hours, Light or Value is sufficient — Light if you need no checked baggage, Value if you need 15kg (DGCA passenger traffic data, 2025). For international Gulf routes or family trips, Business often delivers better total value once seat and meal add-ons on Value are counted.

Common Questions

Does AirAsia India still exist in 2026?

No, AirAsia India was merged into Air India Express on 1 October 2024. All former AirAsia India operations now fly under the Air India Express brand and IX flight code, consolidating the low-cost operations of the Air India group.

What is the cheapest Air India Express fare?

Light is the cheapest published Air India Express fare. It includes 7kg cabin baggage only, with no checked baggage, no meal and no complimentary seat selection. Value is the next tier up, adding 15kg checked baggage. Add-ons can be purchased during booking.

How much baggage is included in Business?

Business includes 25kg of checked baggage on domestic routes and 40kg (2 pieces) on international routes, along with 7kg cabin baggage. A complimentary meal and preferred seat selection are also included.

Can I change my Air India Express flight date?

Yes, date changes are allowed on all Air India Express fares but fees vary. Light, Value and Business carry a date-change fee of about ₹3,000 plus any fare difference. Classic carries a lower date-change fee, and Flex is free outside 3 days of departure.

Do Air India Express fares earn Flying Returns points?

Yes, Air India Express flights earn Flying Returns points after the Air India group loyalty consolidation. Points accrual rates vary by fare type, with Business earning the highest rate.

Are meals free on Air India Express?

Meals are complimentary on Classic, Flex and Business fares. On Light and Value, meals must be pre-booked during ticket purchase or bought onboard. Pre-booking is typically cheaper than buy-onboard pricing.

Book with HappyFares

Planning an Air India Express trip? Visit happyfares.in to compare Light, Value, Classic, Flex and Business side-by-side with transparent total pricing — no hidden surprises at checkout. Our travel desk can help you match baggage and meal needs to the right fare. Disclaimer: fare inclusions, baggage allowances, and change fees are set by Air India Express and may change; always verify the latest conditions before booking.

🌟 Help HappyFares show up first in Google’s AI answers — add us as a Preferred Source with one click. Takes 5 seconds.

If-you scenarios

Related guides: Emirates Fare Types Explained 2026 — Full Fare Guide · Qatar Airways Fare Types Explained 2026 — Economy to First · Singapore Airlines Fare Types Explained 2026 — Economy, Premium Econom