Air India Express has announced a flash sale, offering discounted fares on its flights. The Xpress Lite fare, which includes zero-check-in baggage, starts at INR1,300 (Dh56) and comes with additional benefits such as the option to pre-book extra cabin baggage at no extra cost and discounted check-in baggage rates. This fare is only available on the airline’s website and mobile app. The sale is valid for bookings made until May 18, 2025, for travel between June 1 and September 15, 2025.

In addition to the Xpress Lite fare, Air India Express is also offering Xpress Value sale fares starting from INR1,524 across major booking channels. Loyalty members can enjoy special deals, including 25% off Xpress Biz fares and upgrades, as well as discounts on other services such as hot meals, seat selection, and priority services. The airline’s business class equivalent, Xpress Biz, offers a seat pitch of up to 58 inches and is available on over 40 brand-new Boeing 737-8 aircraft.

The airline will continue to offer fare concessions for students, senior citizens, doctors, nurses, and members of the armed forces, along with their dependents. Air India Express operates over 500 daily flights, connecting 38 domestic and 17 international airports, with a fleet of 112 aircraft. The airline’s rapid expansion plans include the induction of a new aircraft every week, with 72 Boeing 737s and 40 Airbus A320s currently in operation.

The flash sale is a great opportunity for travelers to book their flights at discounted rates, especially during the peak travel season. With its wide range of routes and competitive fares, Air India Express is a popular choice for travelers in the region. The airline’s loyalty program and special deals for loyalty members also offer additional benefits for frequent flyers. Overall, the sale is a great chance for travelers to plan their summer travel and enjoy discounted fares on Air India Express.

Air India has partnered with Friends Touristik Marketing GmbH & CoKG, a leading travel and tourism company, to manage its operations in Switzerland and Austria. Under this partnership, Friends Touristik will assume responsibility for managing reservations and ticketing, supporting marketing initiatives, and providing extensive passenger sales support for Air India across the region. The goal of this collaboration is to increase passenger traffic on Air India’s flights to and from Vienna and Zurich, as well as connecting flights to other destinations.

Friends Touristik will leverage its expertise and knowledge of the local market to deliver tailored services to travel agents and customers, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience. The company will work closely with Air India to promote its brand and services, highlighting the airline’s unique offerings and strengths. By partnering with a local expert, Air India aims to tap into the growing demand for air travel in Switzerland and Austria, and to establish itself as a leading carrier in the region.

Natalia Zaragoza, CEO of Friends Touristik, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that her company is honored to represent Air India in the Swiss and Austrian markets. She praised Air India as a prestigious airline that embodies excellence, heritage, and global connectivity, and emphasized her company’s commitment to contributing to its growth and success in the region. With this partnership, Friends Touristik and Air India are poised to strengthen their presence in the European market and offer travelers a wider range of options for travel to and from India and beyond.

The partnership is expected to benefit both parties, with Air India gaining access to Friends Touristik’s extensive network and expertise, and Friends Touristik expanding its portfolio of airline partners. As the travel industry continues to evolve, this collaboration demonstrates the importance of strategic partnerships in driving growth and success. By working together, Air India and Friends Touristik are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities in the market, and to provide travelers with an enhanced and personalized experience.

An Air India flight from New Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday due to a missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The incident occurred less than an hour before the flight, AI139, was scheduled to land. The Boeing 787 aircraft was diverted to Abu Dhabi while in Jordanian airspace, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.com. The flight landed safely in Abu Dhabi and will return to Delhi.

As a result of the incident, Air India has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6 to ensure the safety of its customers and staff. The airline has also cancelled its Tel Aviv to Delhi flight for Sunday. Passengers with valid tickets for flights between May 4 and 6 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation.

The missile attack, which was launched from Yemen, landed near the Tel Aviv airport, prompting a brief suspension of air traffic to the airport. Air India’s decision to divert the flight and suspend operations to Tel Aviv is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew.

The diversion of the flight and suspension of operations to Tel Aviv is a significant development, and Air India is taking steps to minimize the impact on its passengers. The airline’s decision to offer a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation is a gesture of goodwill towards its customers. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of air travel, particularly in regions prone to conflict, and the need for airlines to be prepared for such events.

The suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until May 6 will likely cause inconvenience to passengers who have booked flights to and from the city. However, Air India’s priority is the safety of its customers and staff, and the decision to suspend operations is a necessary measure to ensure their well-being. The airline will likely review the situation and resume operations to Tel Aviv once it is deemed safe to do so.

Air India and Air India Express have announced a new partnership with dnata, a leading travel services company, to serve as their General Sales Agent (GSA) and Representative Agency (RA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement was signed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai and aims to improve sales, marketing, and distribution support for both carriers across the UAE, excluding Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for Air India.

The partnership is strategic for Air India, as the UAE is a key market in its international network. The airline operates 82 weekly flights from the UAE to India, while Air India Express connects five cities in the UAE with over 240 weekly flights. The UAE is the single-largest international market for Air India Express, serving millions of Indian expatriates and other travelers.

The agreement with dnata is expected to enhance service delivery and drive demand for Air India and Air India Express in the region. dnata has a deep understanding of the region and a proven track record in travel services, having represented Air India in Dubai for passenger sales for almost 50 years. The company will provide localized support to both carriers, improving accessibility for travelers and trade partners.

The partnership is also part of the Air India group’s broader growth plans in the region. With a growing network of 45 domestic and 43 international destinations served by Air India, and 38 domestic and 17 international destinations by Air India Express, the airline is investing in partnerships and service enhancements to bring India closer to the world.

According to Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales at Air India, the partnership with dnata will help the airline better connect with customers and drive demand in the market. Dr. Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India Express, added that the collaboration will help the airline expand its commercial presence in the region and offer customers more reliable and seamless travel options. Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, expressed his delight at being appointed by the Air India group, citing the airline’s growing operations and commitment to supporting millions of travelers. Overall, the partnership between Air India, Air India Express, and dnata is expected to strengthen the airline’s presence in the UAE market and enhance its services for customers.

The author recently flew from Pune to San Francisco (SFO) via Delhi and returned to Mumbai with Air India. The journey was eventful due to the closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian aircraft, which led to a change in flight routes. On the Delhi-SFO leg, the author flew on a B777-200LR aircraft, VT-ALH, but was disappointed to find that the in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen was not functioning. Despite this, the author enjoyed the flight, which took them over the Hindu Kush mountains, and appreciated the good food and service provided by the cabin crew.

On the return journey, the author was scheduled to fly from SFO to Mumbai non-stop, but due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, the flight was diverted to make a fuel stop at Vienna. The author was impressed by Air India’s swift response to the situation and their ability to re-route flights. The SFO-Mumbai flight, which normally takes around 17.5 hours, was extended to around 20 hours with the detour. The aircraft, VT-AEG, was an ex-Delta plane with better-maintained interiors and functioning IFE.

The author appreciated the young and dynamic crew, who made the flight comfortable despite the extra halt. The flight took off from SFO, flew over North America, Greenland, and Europe, before making a stop at Vienna, where the aircraft was refueled and cleaned. The journey then continued over Europe, Iran, and Oman, before entering Indian airspace and landing in Mumbai.

The author was impressed by Air India’s efforts to maintain their schedule and provide a smooth experience for passengers, despite the challenges posed by the closure of Pakistani airspace. They noted that while the diversion may have added to the flight time and cost, it was still a more convenient option for many Indian passengers, who prefer to fly with Air India due to its familiarity, food, language, and point-to-point service. The author also observed that the closure of Pakistani airspace could give an advantage to Middle Eastern carriers (ME3) in the medium term, and that Air India’s prices may increase in the future due to the additional costs incurred by the detour.

Air India has been awarded the Good Distribution Practices (GDP) certification for its cargo business, recognizing its commitment to delivering high-quality logistics solutions for pharmaceutical products. The certification validates the airline’s compliance with international guidelines for the safe and secure distribution of pharmaceuticals. In the financial year 2024-25, Air India transported over 4,000 tonnes of pharmaceuticals globally, highlighting its significant role in the industry.

The GDP certification is a significant achievement for Air India, as India is one of the world’s key exporters of pharmaceutical products. The certification assures partners globally that Air India is fully equipped to safeguard the integrity of every shipment. The airline’s GDP-certified stations include major cargo hubs in India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, as well as international gateways like New York, London, and Amsterdam.

To strengthen its pharmaceutical handling capabilities, Air India has made significant investments in enhancing its infrastructure and processes. These include partnering with GDP-certified cargo terminal operators, providing specialized training for cargo staff, and procuring essential equipment such as thermal blankets and cool dollies. The airline has also implemented robust quality systems, including end-to-end documentation and monitoring processes, to guarantee traceability and compliance with global standards.

The GDP certification was awarded after a rigorous audit that included checks for quality manuals, temperature-controlled warehouse and equipment, and risk management processes. Air India’s Head of Cargo, Ramesh Mamidala, stated that the certification is a “shot in the arm” for the airline’s expertise and capabilities in specialized logistics, and assures partners that the airline is fully equipped to handle pharmaceutical shipments.

The certification is expected to enhance Air India’s ability to transport vaccines, biologics, and other high-value medical goods, both within India and globally. With its strengthened pharmaceutical handling capabilities and GDP certification, Air India is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for specialized logistics solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. The airline’s commitment to quality and compliance with international standards is expected to increase customer confidence and drive growth in its cargo business.

Air India, a long-time Salesforce customer, has expanded its partnership by adopting Salesforce Agentforce, a technology that uses AI to automate customer service processes and improve operational efficiency. The airline is one of the first to implement Agentforce, which will initially focus on automating refund requests to accelerate the resolution process and enhance customer satisfaction.

Refund requests often require multiple steps between Air India’s contact centre and the refunds team, which can delay the resolution. By deploying Agentforce, the airline aims to streamline and automate these processes, reducing the need for manual intervention and allowing agents to focus on higher-priority tasks. This will enable faster issue resolution for customers and improve overall customer satisfaction.

Air India plans to scale the use of Agentforce across other contact centre operations, including voice-based interactions, in the coming months. The airline believes that Agentforce represents the next frontier of customer service, where AI works alongside humans to deliver faster, smarter, and more personalized experiences at scale.

The adoption of Agentforce is part of Air India’s ongoing digital transformation, which includes the deployment of a generative AI virtual agent called ‘Maharaja’, powered by the Azure OpenAI service, in 2023. With Agentforce, Air India aims to set a new benchmark for modern, AI-driven customer engagement in the aviation industry globally.

According to Arundhati Bhattacharya, president & CEO at Salesforce – South Asia, “Agentforce represents the next frontier of customer service, where AI works alongside humans to deliver faster, smarter, and more personalized experiences at scale.” Satya Ramaswamy, chief digital & technology officer at Air India, added that the adoption of Agentforce is a step towards transforming how the airline manages certain classes of refund cases using cutting-edge agentic AI, which will enable instant acknowledgement of claims with real-time updates, reinforcing trust and valuing customer loyalty.

Air India has introduced its new A350-900 aircraft, offering upgraded seat comfort and entertainment systems. The aircraft is equipped with bigger and sharper screens, offering over 3000 hours of entertainment content across formats and genres. Economy class passengers can enjoy 12-inch screens, while Premium Economy and Business Class passengers have 13.5-inch and 21-inch screens, respectively.

The infotainment system is more intuitive than before, with noise-cancelling headsets available for Premium Economy and Business Class. Additionally, the aircraft offers onboard Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to stay connected during flights.

Other new features on the A350-900 include integrated Apple AirTag support, allowing passengers to track their baggage in real-time. The airline is also offering an upgraded cabin humidifier in Business Class, which boosts humidity to over 20% to create a cozier environment.

The airline’s mobile app, which features AI-based computer vision technology, allows passengers to scan their boarding pass, access flight details, and track their baggage status. The Business Class cabin has also been upgraded to offer a more spacious experience, with a comfortable foldable mattress and delicious in-flight dining options.

The A350-900 is available on key international routes such as London, New York, San Francisco, Frankfurt, and Singapore, with more flights scheduled to be upgraded in the future. Overall, the new aircraft offers a significant improvement in the Air India experience, with upgraded amenities and services that are on par with international standards.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering longer bans and higher fines for unruly passengers after an incident where an Air India crew member was allegedly harassed by a fellow passenger, who was later fined Rs 1 lakh.

The incident, dubbed “peegate”, occurred on a domestic flight on January 24, when the cabin crew member was allegedly asked to fetch a passenger a cup of tea from the economy class, but she was instead given a cup of beer which she had opened and poured into the cup. The crew member was allegedly not allowed to enter the absence of the in-flight meal service team and was seen taking the cup away from the passenger.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and led to calls for stiffer punishments for unruly passengers. The DGCA has decided to consider increasing the length of bans for unruly passengers and imposing heavier fines, despite the accused in the case being fined just Rs 1 lakh.

The decision to impose a fine was widely criticized by civil aviation experts and passenger rights activists, who argued that the amount was too low and did not reflect the severity of the offense.

The DGCA has invited comments from the public on its proposed changes to the unruly passenger policy, which include longer bans and heavier fines for repeat offenders. The comments can be made online until February 22.

In India, airlines are mandated to report incidents of unruly behavior by passengers to the DGCA, which then issues a “no-fly list” to carriers.

The civil aviation body has also revised the draft policy, which includes measures such as revoking the salary of the airline’s crew member involved in the incident, and imposing penalties on the airline itself.

The revised draft policy states that unruly passengers will face a minimum ban of 30 days and a maximum of three years. If the offending party was a citizen of India, a penalty of up to Rs 50,000 may be imposed and six months imprisonment.

The updates reflect the increasing scrutiny of unruly passenger incidents and the DCGA’s commitment to ensuring a smoother flying experience for all passengers.

In June 2021, an international coalition of air transport stakeholder issued a statement urging governments to take stronger action against unruly airline passengers.

An Air India flight from Chennai to Coimbatore was delayed on Monday morning due to a technical glitch detected just seconds before departure. The flight, initially scheduled to take off at 5:45 am, had to return to the bay after the pilot identified a technical snag while taxiing to the runway. The snag was detected just as the plane was about to depart, with 148 passengers and a six-member crew on board. The passengers and crew were forced to deboard the plane in order to resolve the problem.

A technical team was dispatched to rectify the snag, and after some time, the issue was resolved. The flight was subsequently rescheduled for take-off at around 7:45 am. The delay was reportedly caused by a technical glitch, and not due to any maintenance or mechanical issues with the plane.

The delay caused inconvenience to the passengers, who were left stranded at the airport for several hours. However, Air India took prompt action to rectify the problem and reschedule the flight, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. Despite the setback, the airline’s decision to deboard passengers and crew in order to detect and rectify the technical snag demonstrates its commitment to providing safe and reliable air travel.

Air India is reportedly exploring the possibility of opening a lounge at London Heathrow Airport. This comes as part of the airline’s lounge refurbishment plans, which also include the renovation of their lounges at Delhi and New York’s JFK airports. Recently, Air India appointed Hirsch Bedner Associates, the designers behind Singapore Airlines’ lounges, to refurbish their lounges in Delhi and New York.

The proposed lounge at London Heathrow will be a significant addition to Air India’s lounge portfolio, as it will cater to passengers traveling from both Delhi and Mumbai, which have multiple daily flights to Heathrow. The airline is currently in discussions with the airport management to secure a “large space” for the lounge, which is expected to be located in the T2B satellite, where United, Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada currently have lounges.

The proposed lounge is seen as a strategic move to increase Air India’s visibility at Heathrow, which is a major hub for business travelers. Airport lounges are a key marketing channel for airlines, allowing them to showcase their brand and offerings to passengers. By opening a lounge at Heathrow, Air India aims to increase its presence in the premium travel market and attract high-yield corporate travelers.

Additionally, the lounge could operate as a profit center by offering its facilities to other Star Alliance carriers and airlines, as well as to Priority Pass members. The location of the lounge is likely to be a busy hub, with multiple flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Heathrow, making it an attractive spot for passengers looking for a premium travel experience.

Overall, the proposed Air India lounge at London Heathrow is seen as a strategic move to increase the airline’s visibility and presence in the premium travel market, and to cater to the growing demand for lounge facilities at this major airport.

Air India has received its first refurbished legacy Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, following a “heavy refresh” that includes the installation of new carpets, seat covers, cushions, and repair of damaged seating. The airline has opted for this “heavy refresh” due to delays in the original refit plan caused by supply chain-related issues. The remaining 12 planes will undergo similar enhancements by the end of the year.

Air India’s wide-body fleet consists of 40 legacy aircraft, including 13 Boeing 777s and 27 Boeing 787s, which are mainly deployed for ultra-long haul flights connecting Toronto, Vancouver, and several US cities. The airline aims to complete the heavy refresh of all legacy B777s by the end of the current year.

The refurbished aircraft will initially operate on domestic routes for a day or two before being deployed for ultra-long haul operations. The airline’s total fleet consists of 198 aircraft, including 13 legacy Boeing 777-300 ERs, with some having first-class cabins.

Air India has also planned to retrofit its B787 aircraft, with the first one expected to take off in April. The airline’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, has stated that the airline expects to complete the upgradation of all legacy wide-body aircraft by mid-2027.

The retrofitting program has already seen the return of the first retrofitted A320 neo aircraft to service, with the airline expecting to complete the refit of all 27 A320 neo aircraft by the third quarter of this year. Wilson has emphasized that significant supply chain challenges are expected to persist globally for the next four to five years, impacting Air India and other airlines worldwide.

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Air India has announced that it will not operate flights from the new Noida International Airport (NIA) in June, instead choosing to focus on increasing traffic at its Delhi hub. The airline will operate its no-frills brand, Air India Express, from Noida and Hindon airports in addition to Delhi. However, Air India is seeking clarification from Adani Airport Holdings Limited on the relocation of flights from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport, which is set to open in June.

The airline is also asking the Uttar Pradesh government to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to reduce fuel costs, which account for 40-45% of operating expenses. The current VAT rate is 25%. The new airport in Jewar, located southeast of Delhi and close to Greater Noida, is expected to become the capital’s second aviation hub, with commercial operations set to begin this year.

The relocation of flights from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport will also have a significant impact on the aviation industry. Air India’s decision to focus on its Delhi hub will likely lead to a significant increase in traffic and revenue for the airport. Additionally, the new airport in Jewar may attract passengers from the eastern suburbs of Delhi and nearby townships, providing a potential competitive advantage for the airline.

Overall, the decisions made by Air India and the Uttar Pradesh government will have a far-reaching impact on the aviation industry in India. The reduction in VAT on ATF will help to reduce fuel costs for airlines, while the new airport in Jewar will provide a much-needed boost to the region’s aviation infrastructure. The relocation of flights from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport will also lead to changes in the airline industry’s supply and demand dynamics, and it will be interesting to see how the industry responds to these developments.

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A disgruntled Air India passenger, Soumitra Chatterjee, took to social media to vent his frustration after a 16-hour business-class journey from Chicago to Delhi. He described the experience as an “ordeal” due to a malfunctioning seat, subpar food, and poor cabin conditions. He was dismayed by the airline’s response to his complaints, saying it was “condemnable” and would only lead to more passengers expressing dissatisfaction.

Chatterjee’s posts on X highlighted the issues he faced, including a broken seat, poor food, and a hospital-like cabin condition. He also claimed that the airline offered him a mere ₹5,000 compensation against his ₹2,42,000 ticket price, which he considered inadequate. He expressed his disappointment with Air India’s attitude and treatment, stating that it would only lead to more passengers saying “to hell with Air India.”

Air India responded to his post, asking him to provide more information about his concerns via direct message, but Chatterjee was not impressed, criticizing the airline’s approach as “condemnable” and highlighting that it was just a “token gesture” to silence him. He also expressed his skepticism about the airline’s ability to address real issues, stating that it was just a “show” to keep passengers quiet.

The incident highlights the importance of prompt resolution of customer complaints and the need for airlines to listen to their customers and address their concerns sincerely. While Air India’s response to the issue was initially seen as adequate, Chatterjee’s experience suggests that there is still much to be improved. The incident also underscores the need for airlines to be transparent and responsive in their dealings with customers, as even a small gesture of goodwill can go a long way in resolving disputes and maintaining customer trust.

Air India (AI) and Air New Zealand (NZ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen air connectivity between India and New Zealand. The agreement establishes a new codeshare partnership covering 16 routes and explores the possibility of direct flights between Delhi and Auckland by the end of 2028.

Under the codeshare agreement, passengers can travel from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai on Air India flights, connecting at Sydney, Melbourne, or Singapore to Air New Zealand-operated flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown. This will significantly improve travel between the two countries, which currently lack direct connectivity and take around 17-30 hours with connecting flights.

The partnership aims to increase market visibility for both countries as tourism destinations. In 2023, New Zealand welcomed 87,000 Indian visitors, a 23% increase from 2019 levels, with 72% visiting during off-peak seasons. Tourism New Zealand data indicates that 18 million people in India are actively considering visiting New Zealand, with 57% identifying it as their top destination choice.

New Zealand currently hosts around 330,000 people of Indian origin, with India being the country’s second-largest source of international students and largest source of skilled migrants.

To support the partnership, Auckland Airport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India’s busiest airport. The agreement aims to strengthen ties between the two airports, which facilitate tourism, trade, and people-to-people links between the two countries.

Additionally, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered a five-year partnership with Air New Zealand to modernize the airline’s digital infrastructure and advance its AI-driven innovation capabilities. The collaboration aims to enhance Air New Zealand’s digital capabilities, improve customer experience, and drive operational efficiencies across fleet management, crew scheduling, and ground services.

SBI Card is undergoing changes to its credit card reward structures, effective from April 1, 2025, for SimplyCLICK and Air India co-branded credit cards. These changes will impact the way cardholders earn rewards on certain transactions. Specifically, the SimplyCLICK SBI Card will earn 5X reward points on Swiggy transactions, down from the current 10X, while maintaining the same rewards rate for other partner merchants. Air India SBI Platinum and Signature Credit Cardholders will see a significant reduction in reward benefits for booking Air India tickets through the airline’s website or mobile app.

The accelerated reward rate for Air India SBI Platinum Credit Cardholders will drop from 15 points per ₹100 spent to 5 points, while the rate for Air India SBI Signature Credit Cardholders will decrease from 30 points to 10 points per ₹100 spent. This represents a 66% to 75% reduction in reward benefits for frequent flyers. With no new benefits announced to offset these changes, cardholders may need to re-evaluate their spending strategies to maximize rewards. Alternatives credit cards that offer better returns on dining and travel purchases may need to be considered.

Overall, these changes will result in a reduction in total reward points for cardholders, particularly for those who heavily use the affected cards for Air India ticket bookings. It is essential for cardholders to review their credit card options and adjust their spending habits accordingly to optimize rewards accumulation.