Promo Radar™
List of promotions, sales, and discounts as announced by airlines.
We are currently monitoring over 150 carriers, including Air India Express.
updated November 27, 2023
What is the best time to book Air India Express flights?
The best time to book international Air India Express flights is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) is 4–6 months before takeoff. For Air India Express domestic flights within India, making a reservation from 4 to 8 weeks in advance is recommended.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches.Airlines such as Air India Express use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Air India Express start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – the airline typically starts by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats.
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights with Air India Express, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, the airline starts dropping prices to stimulate demand. It may also offer promotions and sales (especially for flights departing from its hub in Cochin International Airport COK, Dubai International Airport DXB, Kannur International Airport CNN, Calicut International Airport CJJ). This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. The Indian airline charges higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
Select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight to save on airfare. Air India Express often offers discounts on their first morning flight (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by Air India Express for dates it expects to be popular. Avoid the high season during summer and major holidays, including holidays in the country you’re flying to.
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Why is Air India Express so cheap on ATC?
Air India Express can be extremely cheap when you seize opportunities such as ‘mistake fares‘, sudden price drops, sales and promotions or employ strategies like hidden city ticketing. Moreover, Air India Express flights associated with their main Indian hub airport — Cochin International Airport COK — are typically priced lower due to the benefits of economies of scale and streamlined operations.
Air Traveler Club has a team of experts who diligently monitor for price reductions, promotional offers (often not widely advertised), under-the-radar airline sales, and other potential savings on flights. In the case of Air India Express, we particularly focus on tracking prices for flights originating from their Cochi hub.
These valuable findings are then promptly relayed to our subscribers as exclusive SuperDeals.
Air India Express reviews 2023,A.I. summary
We let the A.I. analyze thousands of Air India Express reviews for an averaged, more accurate rating and opinion. Please note: this is an experimental feature.
Overall rating
| Baggage handling | ★★★☆☆ |
|---|---|
| Seat comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| Food | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Entertainment | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Crew | ★★★☆☆ |
| Customer support | ★★★☆☆ |
Is Air India Express a good airline?
Air India Express holds a decent 3/5 rating from its passengers, primarily due to its punctuality and vast regional network.
In terms of destinations, the airline serves an extensive range of cities, primarily in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, outpacing many of its low-cost competitors. However, while pricing is generally competitive, some travelers express discontent over ancillary fees and less-than-transparent fare structures. Comfort varies, with some passengers praising the airline’s legroom but others lamenting outdated interiors and limited in-flight amenities.
Overall, despite some gripes, Air India Express is often cited for delivering reasonable value for money, especially for budget-conscious travelers.
Strengths
- Punctuality: Air India Express is often lauded for its on-time performance, a crucial factor that endears the airline to business travelers and those with tight schedules.
- Extensive network: With a solid footprint in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the airline provides convenient options for passengers looking to travel regionally, often with direct flights that bypass hubs.
- Competitive pricing: The airline’s fare structure is generally seen as budget-friendly, making it a go-to option for cost-conscious travelers, particularly on short-haul routes.
Weaknesses
- Ancillary fees: Some passengers have raised concerns about the airline’s additional charges for services like baggage and seat selection, stating that these can make the overall cost less competitive.
- Outdated interiors: Reviews frequently cite the age of the airline’s fleet and the need for updated cabin interiors, mentioning worn-out seats and outdated entertainment systems as areas for improvement.
- Limited in-flight amenities: The lack of complimentary in-flight meals and entertainment options is a recurring theme in passenger feedback, contributing to a less-than-stellar overall experience.
Passenger's experience
Is Air India Express a budget airline?
Yes, Air India Express is a budget airline. Air India Express is referred to as a LCC (low-cost carrier) due to its business model which is focused on offering basic air transportation services at the lowest possible cost.
The low-cost model has a few key characteristics that distinguish Air India Express from traditional full-service carriers (FCC). The Indian airline predominantly operates short to medium-haul flights, and it adopts a high-density seating configuration in its aircraft to maximize passenger numbers and revenue per flight. Air India Express also offers an “unbundled” fare structure, where the base fare usually only includes the seat and a small personal item. Additional services such as checked luggage, seat selection, extra legroom, and in-flight meals may be available but incur extra charges.
These strategies allow Air India Express to keep operating costs low. The savings are then passed on to passengers in the form of lower ticket prices, hence earning it the label of a budget airline.
What can I expect when flying with Air India Express?
When flying with Air India Express, passengers can expect a no-frills, budget-friendly experience primarily focused on short-haul routes between India and destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The airline is generally praised for its punctuality and offers a fairly extensive network of direct flights that often bypass major hubs, providing convenient travel options. However, be prepared for additional fees for services like baggage and seat selection, as well as limited in-flight amenities such as complimentary meals or entertainment.
Overall, Air India Express offers a straightforward, cost-effective way to travel, particularly for those who prioritize price and efficiency over luxury.
What are the seating options?
Air India Express exclusively offers an economy-class cabin, designed with a focus on affordability and basic comfort.
Is Air India Express economy comfortable?
Air India Express’ economy class is generally considered basic and no-frills, prioritizing cost-efficiency over luxury.
Reviews often mention adequate legroom and reasonably comfortable seats for short to medium-haul flights. However, passengers looking for premium amenities or extra space might find the offering somewhat limited.
How to get an extra legroom seat on Air India Express plane?
Securing an extra legroom seat on a Air India Express plane requires some planning and flexibility, but you can easily score one of these seats by familiarizing yourself with the cabin layout and checking in for your flight early. You may also consider paying for an upgrade to a seat with ample legroom and enhanced comfort.
As the location of the extra legroom seats varies depending on the aircraft, we recommend visiting the SeatGuru website. By simply entering your Air India Express flight number, you can access a detailed seat map specific to your flight. Hover over individual seats to identify those with ample legroom. They are often found in exit rows, bulkhead rows (the first row in each cabin section), or other designated areas that offer additional legroom.
Due to their desirable features, the preferred seats are in high demand. They are often limited in number and typically incur additional fees. Seats with extra legroom located in front and exit rows ("hot seats") are priced higher. However, for medium– and long–haul flights, the additional cost of $10-$50 may be worth the increased comfort. Hot seats typically provide at least 36 inches of legroom (4-6 inches more than standard economy seats), wider seat pitch, and may also have adjustable footrests and recline further back.
Paying for an extra legroom seat is usually a more affordable option than upgrading to a Premium Economy.
What is the baggage allowance?
- Domestic routes: Passengers are generally allowed to check in up to 25 kg of baggage, with an additional 7 kg permitted as hand luggage.
- International routes (Middle East and Gulf Countries): The check-in baggage allowance is usually 30 kg, with a hand luggage allowance of 7 kg.
Does Air India Express have Wi-Fi?
No, Air India Express does not offer in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity at this time. Passengers should be prepared for an offline experience while on board.
Does Air India Express have refundable tickets?
Air India Express offers a range of ticket fare classes, each with varying levels of refundability and flexibility. Here’s what you can expect:
- Xpress Value: These tickets are generally non-refundable and cater to passengers looking for the most economical option.
- Xpress Flex: Partially refundable, these tickets allow for some itinerary changes with additional fees. Ideal for travelers who anticipate slight adjustments to their plans.
- Vista Flex: Designed for passengers requiring maximum flexibility, these tickets are typically fully or near-fully refundable, less administrative costs
How do I obtain my Air India Express boarding pass?
Air India Express boarding pass is a travel document that contains crucial information about your flight, confirms your seat and allows you to board the plane. It includes the passenger’s name, flight number, boarding time, boarding zone, gate number, seat number, and other essential flight details. The Air India Express boarding pass can be in paper or electronic format. The boarding pass is issued during check-in — online on the airline's website (usually available 24 hours before the flight), its mobile app (mobile boarding pass) or at the airport. You can print your boarding pass at home or use a mobile app to store the digital boarding pass on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can check in at the airport, where the airline's representative will issue the boarding pass for you.
How to check Air India Express flight status?
If you have the flight number at hand, you can conveniently check the Air India Express flight status on the airline’s website. Visit the flight status page to get the reliable information regarding the scheduled and actual departure and arrival times.
There are several online platforms where you can check the status of Air India Express flight: FlightRadar24, FlightStats, or FlightAware. They offer comprehensive information about any flight (regardless of the airline) – including real-time flight tracking.
Alternatively, input your flight number directly into Google's search bar. Drawing data from diverse sources (including the airlines themselves), Google will provide you with all the crucial flight information right on the search results page.
Air India Express shortcuts
Essential links to Air India Express official website.
Air India Express flight booking
Search Air India Express flights and book your Economy class ticket online.
Online check-in
How to check-in and receive your Air India Express boarding pass?
Air India Express baggage policy
Learn about checked and hand luggage regulations on Air India Express flights.
Flexible tickets
Want to change your flight? Air India Express flexible booking offer and policies.
Refunds and cancellations
Guidelines on returning a Air India Express ticket and getting your money back.
Air India Express help & support
Get in touch with the airline: customer service numbers, call centers, offices, and more.
Why are Air India Express flights so expensive in 2023?
Airfares soared in 2023. Air India Express flights are more expensive now due to rising demand, limited supply, inflation, fuel prices, closed airspace, and increased operational costs.
One key factor within your control is the timing of your booking. To save money on travel, it’s wise to plan ahead – the best time to book international flights with Air India Express is between 2 to 8 months before your departure date.
The primary elements that impact the cost of flights:
- Rising demand With more people traveling in the post-pandemic era, airlines have no incentive to lower prices. Instead, they capitalize on spiked demand and raise prices to make up for lost revenue during the period of 2020-2022.
- Limited supply In 2023 Air India Express is still operating at reduced capacity after the pandemic. Staffing shortages of pilots, plane crew, and airport workers lead to flight cancellations and delays, affecting the supply even more. With fewer flights, the Indian carrier charges more for the plane tickets that are available.
- Inflation Inflation has a significant impact on flight prices, as it directly increases the cost of fuel and labor for airlines. This can be particularly true for Air India Express that operates in countries with high inflation rates.
- Jet fuel costs Fuel is a significant airline cost, influenced by crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions. To cope with rising fuel prices, the airline may pass it on to travelers in the form of a fuel surcharge added to the ticket price.
- Closed airspace Avoiding airspace due to war, political conflicts, extreme weather, or natural disasters make airline tickets more expensive. Air India Express may be forced to take longer routes to reach the destination airport – which means higher fuel and labor costs.
- Air India Express operating costs The costs of labor, aircraft maintenance, aircraft leasing or purchasing expenses, marketing, etc. significantly increased in 2023. As Air India Express aims to remain profitable, it must factor in these operating costs when setting ticket prices.
- Will flight prices go down in 2023?Historical trends suggest that airfare prices will fluctuate based on the factors described above. As long as the demand for travel is up, so is airfare. After tough years the Air India Express is in no position to offer discounts for passengers and will likely try to maximize profits in 2023.
Air India Express price history charts
and price-drop alerts
Understanding past airfare trends for your chosen Air India Express flight route can help you forecast future prices and identify ideal booking times.
Google Flights is one of the best tools that provide access to price history — it tracks airfare fluctuations, predicts price changes based on historical data, and helps to pinpoint optimal booking times. In addition to viewing price history charts, you can set up price alerts for Air India Express flights via email — and catch price drops as they happen.
While the tracking tools provide valuable insights on Air India Express price history, they cannot guarantee future prices. They are also usually restricted to one particular route. For regular updates on price drops and deals across various popular destinations (holiday ideas!), consider Air Traveler Club — it’s free to join.
Air India Express tips
How to ensure smooth transit between Air India Express connecting flights
Before your trip, research your connecting airport. Familiarize yourself with its layout, terminals, amenities, and the location of your connecting gate. This will save you time and stress during your layover. Every airport has a minimum connection time — make sure your layover is longer than this minimum time.
Additionally:
- You may need to move between terminals if you have a connecting flight with a different airline or separate point-to-point tickets with Air India Express. Each flight may require individual check-in procedures and an additional pass through security. As your luggage may not be automatically transferred to your final destination, you’ll need to retrieve your bags and check them in again for your subsequent flight.
- When flights are booked on separate tickets, Air India Express is not responsible if you miss your connection due to a delay with the first flight. Allow plenty of buffer time between flights to account for any potential delays.
- Gate assignments can change. Regularly check the flight information boards to ensure you’re in the right place.
- If your airport connection is tight (1-hour layover or less), pick a set near the front of the plane. It can shave 5–10 minutes off your deplaning time, especially on larger planes. Consider purchasing “hot seats” if available on your plane — they cost extra, but it may be worth it.
- When flying domestically, try not to book the last flight out of your connecting airport. In case of a cancellation, the airline will put you on its next flight, but it will require an overnight stay and arrival a day later.
- Flights can be delayed or canceled. Have a backup plan in case you miss your connecting flight. Know your rights and the Air India Express policy on missed connections.
Booking group flights with Air India Express
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights with Air India Express can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the group size and travel dates and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Air India Express website typically limits automatic group bookings to 9 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline directly.
A travel agent may be better if you want more personalized service. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates for Air India Express and can help with logistics and scheduling.