Akasa Air international routes 2026: Doha, Riyadh and Phuket fares compared with IndiGo
By Arjun Kapoor (Arjun Kapoor tracks error fares, mileage runs and award-chart sweet spots for Indian travellers. He moderates two Telegram fare-alert channels and has booked Europe round-trips at sub-₹25,000 four times in the last 24 months.) · Published · 10 min read
Akasa Air's international expansion into Doha, Riyadh, and Phuket has introduced a genuinely price-competitive alternative to IndiGo on these corridors. Fares on Akasa's Saver tier tend to run 5–15% below IndiGo's comparable base price on the same routes — though once you add baggage and seat fees, the gap narrows. Here is how the two carriers actually stack up.
TL;DR — where Akasa wins and where IndiGo fights back
Akasa Air's Saver fares on its Gulf and Southeast Asia routes are often 5–15% cheaper than IndiGo's base economy fares on the same sectors as of 2026. The gap is most visible on routes like Mumbai–Doha and Bangalore–Riyadh, where Akasa entered as a challenger pricing below the established IndiGo rate. However, Akasa's ancillary charges — checked baggage, seat selection — are structured similarly to IndiGo's, so the headline fare gap shrinks once you add what you actually need. If you are travelling light (cabin bag only) and do not care about seat selection, Akasa can be meaningfully cheaper. If you are checking 30 kg of luggage, the gap may close to near-zero. Fares move daily — compare on FlightGPT before committing.
Akasa Air's international route network as of 2026
Akasa Air launched its first international routes in late 2024 with Mumbai–Doha and has since added Riyadh, Dubai, and a few Southeast Asia destinations including Phuket and Kuala Lumpur. The network was still expanding as of mid-2026, so check the Akasa website for the current route map — new additions have been announced with relatively short lead times.
The fleet operating these routes is the Boeing 737 MAX, which is narrow-body and limits range. You will not find Akasa flying to London or New York anytime soon — these are medium-haul Gulf and Southeast Asia routes, which is exactly where they can compete on price with IndiGo. The 737 MAX is fuel-efficient and a significant improvement over older 737 variants, which helps Akasa keep operating costs low.
Key international routes Akasa was operating or announced for 2026: Mumbai–Doha, Mumbai–Riyadh, Bangalore–Doha, Delhi–Doha, Mumbai–Phuket, and Kuala Lumpur services. Verify the current schedule at akasaair.com — route launches and pause announcements happen faster than blog updates can track.
Saver vs Flexi: how Akasa's fare structure works internationally
Akasa uses a straightforward two-tier fare structure on international routes: Saver (the base fare) and Flexi (the more expensive, more flexible tier). Understanding what each includes matters before you compare prices with IndiGo.
Saver: lowest base price; typically includes one cabin bag; no free checked baggage; non-refundable or minimal-refund conditions; date change possible but with a fee. This is the tier where Akasa's price advantage over IndiGo is most visible on a like-for-like comparison.
Flexi: higher price; includes one checked bag (typically 20–25 kg, verify the current weight allowance on Akasa's site as it has changed); more relaxed change and cancellation terms; sometimes includes a seat selection. If you need a checked bag, the Flexi price is often close to what you would pay for Saver + baggage add-on, so compare both paths.
One nuance worth watching: Akasa occasionally bundles baggage + seat into a 'combo' add-on at a discount versus buying them separately. The booking flow is clear about this — look for the bundle option before clicking through to payment.
Head-to-head: Akasa vs IndiGo on Gulf routes
I have been monitoring fares on the India–Gulf corridor for several months now and the pattern I see is fairly consistent. On routes like Mumbai–Doha or Bangalore–Riyadh, Akasa's Saver fare frequently sits around 5–12% below IndiGo's cheapest available economy fare for the same travel date. This is roughly in line with what you would expect from a newer carrier deliberately pricing below the incumbent to build load factor.
Where IndiGo fights back:
- Frequency: IndiGo flies the India–Gulf corridors far more frequently than Akasa. If your dates are fixed and Akasa's schedule does not have a convenient departure, IndiGo wins by default.
- 6E Rewards programme: IndiGo's loyalty miles are worth something if you fly them regularly on domestic routes too. Akasa's loyalty programme exists but has fewer redemption options.
- Codeshares and interlining: IndiGo has interline agreements with some Gulf carriers that can smooth baggage through on connecting international itineraries. Akasa's interline network is still developing.
On the Southeast Asia side (Phuket, Kuala Lumpur), the competitive landscape is different — Thai AirAsia, Air Asia X, and occasionally Thai Lion Air also compete on these routes. Akasa's pricing on India–Phuket is competitive but not always the lowest when budget carriers from the destination region are in the mix. Always compare across carriers on FlightGPT rather than checking just IndiGo and Akasa.
What is the onboard experience actually like on Akasa international?
Akasa is a no-frills carrier, but not a deliberately uncomfortable one. The 737 MAX cabin has decent seat pitch by low-cost-carrier standards — I found it comparable to IndiGo's A320 economy. Inflight meals are a paid add-on; pre-ordering on the Akasa app is cheaper than buying onboard. Entertainment is via a personal device app (no seatback screens), which is standard for narrow-body LCCs globally.
The crew on my Akasa international flights have been notably professional — that is anecdotal, but it tracks with the general feedback on their domestic network too. Akasa built its culture from scratch and it shows in the ground and inflight service consistency, at least so far. IndiGo is more variable depending on the crew and the day.
Connectivity: Akasa does not offer inflight Wi-Fi on domestic routes as of 2026, and I would not count on it for international either — though this may change. If Wi-Fi matters, IndiGo does not offer it either. Both lose this round to the full-service carriers.
When should you choose Akasa over IndiGo (and vice versa)?
Choose Akasa if: the schedule works, you are travelling with cabin bag only (Saver tier), the price difference is meaningful (check the numbers — do not assume), or you want to diversify away from IndiGo on principle. Akasa's punctuality on domestic routes has been better than average for Indian LCCs, which is a reasonable proxy for their international ops.
Stick with IndiGo if: the flight frequency makes it the only viable option for your dates, you value 6E Rewards accumulation, you need flexible interline connections, or IndiGo has a competing sale that closes the fare gap.
One more option to consider: on the Gulf routes specifically, Air India Express is also in the mix. Air India Express often has competitive pricing on India–Gulf sectors, and unlike Akasa and IndiGo, it is a full-service subsidiary of Air India, which means meals are included. Compare all three before assuming Akasa or IndiGo is cheapest.
Travel agents and B2B buyers have another angle — Akasa's rates through the GDS and agent portals can differ from consumer prices. If you work with a travel agent or use a B2B platform like FlightGPT Partner, the agent's access to net fares and group quotas can sometimes unlock prices below what any OTA shows publicly.
For more context on choosing between carriers for specific corridors, also see our Mumbai to Paris airline comparison and our route pages for real-time fare context on popular India–Gulf routes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Akasa Air cheaper than IndiGo on Doha routes?
Typically yes — Akasa's Saver fares on India–Doha routes have been running around 5–12% below IndiGo's base economy prices as of 2026. However, once you add checked baggage on Akasa, the gap often narrows. If you are travelling with only a cabin bag, Akasa's price advantage is most pronounced. Compare both on your specific dates before booking.
Does Akasa Air include free meals on international flights?
No — Akasa Air is a low-cost carrier and meals are a paid add-on on international flights, just as on domestic. Pre-order via the Akasa app or website, where meals are typically cheaper than buying onboard. Air India Express on the same Gulf routes does include meals, which changes the value calculation.
What is Akasa Air's baggage allowance on international routes?
On Akasa's Saver fare, only cabin baggage is typically included. Flexi fares include one checked bag (usually 20–25 kg, but verify on Akasa's website as allowances can change). Checked baggage can be added to a Saver fare for a fee — compare the Saver+bag-add-on price against the Flexi fare directly on the booking path.
Does Akasa Air fly to Riyadh from India?
As of 2026, Akasa Air operates routes to Riyadh from Mumbai and Bangalore. Verify the current schedule on Akasa's website (akasaair.com), as routes and frequencies on their international network are still being expanded and schedules do change.
How does Akasa Air's Saver vs Flexi fare differ on international routes?
Saver is the cheapest bucket — cabin bag only, minimal flexibility, lowest price. Flexi adds a checked baggage allowance and more relaxed change/cancellation terms at a higher price. For most leisure travellers checking luggage, calculate whether Saver + baggage add-on or Flexi works out cheaper on the specific fare shown — sometimes the Flexi bundle is better value.