Air India Economy Fare Types in 2026: Value, Classic and Flex Smart Fares Decoded
By Aarav Sharma (Aarav Sharma covers Indian airline operations, airport infrastructure and route economics. He writes about Tier-1 and Tier-2 airport developments, IndiGo and Air India fleet strategy, and the unsung Indian aviation hubs travellers should know about.) · Published · Last updated · 11 min read
Air India retired its old 'Comfort' fare names and now sells economy in three Smart Fare tiers — Value, Classic and Flex. Each bundles different baggage, seat selection, change and refund rights. Here's exactly what each fare includes in 2026 and how to pick the one that costs you least overall.
Quick answer
Air India's domestic economy now comes in three Smart Fares: Value, Classic and Flex. As of June 2026: Value includes 15 kg baggage but paid seat selection and the highest change fee; Classic includes 25 kg, cheaper changes; Flex includes 25 kg, free seat selection, free changes and partial refundability. Flex typically runs roughly 18–25% above Value on the same flight. The old 'Comfort' brand was retired when Smart Fares launched in October 2024. Confirm current inclusions on the Air India Smart Fares page and compare in the FlightGPT chat.
Why the fare names changed
Air India retired the 'Comfort' and 'Comfort Plus' brand names on 17 October 2024 when its Smart Fares structure went live. If you still see 'Comfort' referenced on third-party sites, it's outdated — the current domestic economy portfolio is Value, Classic and Flex. This was part of the broader Tata-era overhaul that also unified loyalty under Maharaja Club after the Vistara merger.
The three-tier model mirrors what most global full-service airlines do: a stripped 'basic economy' (Value), a middle option (Classic), and a flexible fare (Flex). Knowing which is which stops you overpaying for flexibility you won't use — or underpaying and getting stung by change fees.
Value fare: the basic economy option
Value is Air India's leanest economy fare. As of June 2026 it includes 15 kg checked baggage (1 piece) and 8 kg cabin, but seat selection is paid and the change fee is the highest of the three. It's effectively basic economy — fine if your dates are fixed and you travel light.
Choose Value when: your plans are locked, you only have a cabin bag or a single 15 kg check-in, and you don't care where you sit. It behaves much like a low-cost-carrier fare, so compare it directly against IndiGo and Akasa on the same route — see our fare families comparison.
Classic fare: the family middle ground
Classic steps up to 25 kg checked baggage (often 2 pieces where the allowance is 25 kg+) and offers cheaper change fees than Value, plus free seat selection on many fares. As of June 2026 it's the natural pick for families with checked bags who want a modest insurance policy against a date change without paying full Flex prices.
The 25 kg allowance alone can justify Classic over Value if you'd otherwise pay for excess baggage — do the maths against our excess baggage guide. For most leisure travellers carrying check-in luggage, Classic is the sensible default.
Flex fare: maximum flexibility
Flex is the business traveller's fare. As of June 2026 it includes 25 kg baggage, free seat selection, free date changes (you still pay fare difference) and a partially refundable base fare. Flex typically prices 18–25% above Value on the same flight — but if a meeting slips and you need to move your flight, the free change alone can repay the premium.
Choose Flex when your dates are genuinely uncertain or you may need to cancel. For everyone else it's overspending. See our date-change fees comparison to judge whether the flexibility is worth it for your trip.
Side-by-side: Value vs Classic vs Flex
As of June 2026, indicative domestic economy inclusions:
| Feature | Value | Classic | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checked baggage | 15 kg | 25 kg | 25 kg |
| Seat selection | Paid | Often free | Free |
| Date change | Highest fee | Cheaper fee | Free (+ fare diff) |
| Refundable | No (taxes only) | Limited | Partial |
Treat these as indicative — Air India tweaks inclusions, so confirm at booking. The right choice is the cheapest fare that covers what you actually need: baggage, seat, and flexibility.
How to pick the right Air India fare
Quick decision guide: cabin-bag-only, fixed dates → Value. Checked bags, leisure trip → Classic. Uncertain dates or business → Flex. Don't reflexively buy the cheapest Value fare if you'll add 25 kg of baggage and a seat — Classic with both included often costs less all-in. And remember Flex's free changes can be cheaper than a Value fare plus a peak-date change fee.
Compare the all-in cost of each fare across your dates and against IndiGo/Akasa in the FlightGPT chat, and check route pages like Delhi to Bengaluru.
Business class and Premium Economy above economy
Above the three economy Smart Fares, Air India offers Premium Economy on select widebody aircraft (more pitch, wider seats, better catering, extra baggage) and Business class on widebodies and some trunk routes. Post-merger, Premium Economy — a cabin Vistara popularised on Indian routes — is available on certain Air India services, though availability varies by aircraft, so confirm before booking.
For a longer domestic trunk route (Delhi–Bengaluru, Mumbai–Kolkata) operated by a widebody, the step up from an extra-legroom economy seat to Premium Economy can be modest enough to be worth it. Business class is a bigger jump but increasingly competitive as Air India refreshes its product. See our domestic premium cabins comparison and our business class transformation guide, and price the cabins on your route in the FlightGPT chat.
Key takeaways
The quick decision guide for Air India economy in 2026: cabin-bag-only with fixed dates → Value; checked bags on a leisure trip → Classic; uncertain dates or business → Flex.
- Value (15 kg, paid seats, highest change fee) behaves like basic economy.
- Classic (25 kg, often free seats, cheaper changes) is the sensible family default.
- Flex (25 kg, free seats and changes, partial refund) is worth its 18–25% premium only if you may change or cancel.
Don't reflexively pick the cheapest Value fare — Classic with baggage and a seat included often costs less all-in. The old 'Comfort' name is retired. Compare each fare across your dates and against IndiGo/Akasa in the FlightGPT chat, and confirm inclusions at booking.
Frequently asked questions
What are Air India's economy fare types in 2026?
Air India domestic economy comes in three Smart Fares: Value (15 kg baggage, paid seats, highest change fee), Classic (25 kg, cheaper changes, often free seats), and Flex (25 kg, free seats, free changes, partial refund). The old 'Comfort' name was retired in October 2024.
What's the difference between Value and Classic on Air India?
Value includes 15 kg checked baggage with paid seat selection and the highest change fee; Classic includes 25 kg (often 2 pieces), cheaper change fees and frequently free seat selection. Classic suits families with checked bags; Value suits light, fixed-date trips.
Is Air India Flex fare refundable?
Flex offers a partially refundable base fare plus free date changes (you still pay any fare difference) and free seat selection, as of June 2026. It typically costs 18–25% more than Value but can pay for itself if you need to change or cancel.
Does Air India still have a Comfort fare?
No. Air India retired the 'Comfort' and 'Comfort Plus' brand names on 17 October 2024 when Smart Fares launched. The current domestic economy portfolio is Value, Classic and Flex. Outdated 'Comfort' references on third-party sites no longer apply.
Which Air India fare should I choose?
Cabin-bag-only with fixed dates: Value. Checked bags on a leisure trip: Classic. Uncertain dates or business travel: Flex. Pick the cheapest fare that covers your baggage, seat and flexibility needs — Classic often beats Value all-in once you add bags and a seat.