Air India's 2026 Smart Fares explained — Value, Classic and Flex in Economy, plus Premium Economy and Business. What each bundle includes. Verify on airindia.com.
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Quick answer: Air India sells branded Smart Fares, launched in October 2024 across its single post-Vistara product. Economy comes in three tiers, Value, Classic and Flex, while Premium Economy and Business each offer Classic and Flex, plus a First cabin on some aircraft. Higher tiers add more checked baggage, free seat selection and cheaper or free changes and partial refunds. Inclusions and prices vary by route, so compare fares on airindia.com.
Last reviewed July 2026 by the FlightGPT flights desk · summarised from the official Air India policy and DGCA passenger-rights rules. Fees and rules change — always confirm on airindia.com before booking.
In October 2024 Air India launched Smart Fares, simplifying and renaming its fare families across all cabins as it integrated the merged Vistara operation into one product. The older Comfort and Comfort Plus labels were retired in favour of a clearer Value, Classic and Flex structure. The portfolio spans Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First, with eight fare families overall. For the latest names and what each bundle includes, see the Smart Fares page on airindia.com.
Value is Air India's lowest Economy tier, aimed at price-led travellers. It includes the standard cabin-baggage allowance and a complimentary meal, but a smaller checked allowance (around 15 kg domestic or one 23 kg piece internationally) and the least flexibility, with paid seat selection and the highest change or cancellation penalties. It suits travellers with firm plans and light bags. Confirm Value's exact baggage and rules for your route on airindia.com.
Classic sits between Value and Flex, balancing price and convenience. It typically raises the checked allowance (around 25 kg domestic, or two 23 kg pieces on many international routes) and offers more reasonable change and cancellation terms than Value, often with some seat-selection benefit. It is a popular choice for travellers who want extra baggage and modest flexibility without paying the full Flex premium. Check Classic's current inclusions for your sector on airindia.com.
Flex is the top Economy tier and is built for changeable plans. It generally includes the largest Economy checked allowance, complimentary advance seat selection, and the lowest change fees, frequently allowing free date changes and partial refunds on cancellation. It is ideal for business travellers and anyone whose schedule may shift. Because exact fees and allowances differ by route and over time, verify Flex's benefits on airindia.com before booking.
Above Economy, Air India offers a Premium Economy cabin on many widebody aircraft, plus full Business and, on select aircraft, First. Premium Economy and Business are each sold in Classic and Flex versions, layering greater baggage, flexibility and priority services as you go up. These cabins add benefits such as lounge access, priority check-in and enhanced dining on eligible routes. Compare cabin and bundle inclusions for your flight on airindia.com.
With Smart Fares, Air India standardised the cabin-baggage allowance across the three Economy tiers (about 7 kg plus a small personal item) and includes a meal on every Economy ticket, even Value. What mainly differs between tiers is the checked-baggage allowance, seat-selection cost and change or cancellation flexibility, rather than onboard catering. For the current cabin allowance and what is bundled into each fare, refer to airindia.com.
Air India sells branded Smart Fares: Economy in Value, Classic and Flex; Premium Economy and Business each in Classic and Flex; plus a First cabin on some aircraft. Higher tiers add baggage and flexibility. See current inclusions on airindia.com.
Value is cheapest with the least baggage and flexibility and paid seats; Classic adds more checked baggage and easier changes; Flex offers the most baggage, free seat selection and the cheapest or free changes with partial refunds. Compare on airindia.com.
Yes. In October 2024 Air India launched Smart Fares and retired older labels like Comfort and Comfort Plus, moving to Value, Classic and Flex across cabins as it unified the merged Vistara product. Details are on airindia.com.
Yes. Under Smart Fares, Air India includes a complimentary meal on every Economy ticket, including the entry-level Value fare, and standardised cabin baggage across tiers. The main differences are checked baggage, seats and flexibility; see airindia.com.
Yes. Air India offers a Premium Economy cabin on many widebody aircraft, sold in Classic and Flex versions, sitting between Economy and Business with more baggage, comfort and flexibility. Check route availability and inclusions on airindia.com.
Flex is the most flexible Economy fare, usually offering free or low-cost date changes, complimentary seat selection and partial refunds. Premium Economy and Business Flex add further flexibility. Verify the current change and refund terms on airindia.com.
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