SpiceJet vs IndiGo 2026: When Saving ₹300 Costs You More
By Diya Verma (Diya Verma flies from Tier-2 Indian cities and chases every possible fare hack — reposition flights, hidden-city ticketing, mileage runs and OTA bundle tricks. She has booked 200+ international trips out of Lucknow, Indore and Jaipur.) · Published · 10 min read
SpiceJet sometimes prices ₹200–500 cheaper than IndiGo on the same route. But DGCA data on complaint rates, refund timelines, and cancellation patterns tells a different story. Here's when to take the cheaper ticket — and when to skip it.
TL;DR — The Short Answer
IndiGo is the safer default for domestic India travel in 2026. SpiceJet occasionally prices ₹200–500 lower on short routes, but its DGCA complaint rate and refund track record make that saving questionable if your trip has any time sensitivity. On leisure flights with full flexibility, SpiceJet can work. On business trips or anything with onward connections, stick with IndiGo or Akasa Air.
What the DGCA Numbers Actually Say
Every month, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation publishes airline-wise data on on-time performance, cancellations, and passenger complaints. You can pull these from dgca.gov.in — I'd encourage you to do exactly that before booking anything.
As of 2025–26 data, IndiGo has consistently held on-time performance in the 65–75% range across its massive network, which sounds modest until you realise domestic India OTP is structurally limited by ATC congestion and slot pressure at Mumbai and Delhi. SpiceJet has been reporting lower OTP figures — often trailing IndiGo by 8–15 percentage points, quarter on quarter.
More telling is the complaint rate per 10,000 passengers. IndiGo receives complaints at a lower rate than SpiceJet, and the nature of SpiceJet complaints tends to skew toward refund delays and cancellation-without-adequate-notice. These aren't random one-off gripes; they're a pattern.
SpiceJet went through a well-documented financial crunch in 2023–24 that led to aircraft grounding, NCLT proceedings, and a sharply reduced network. As of 2026, the airline is operating but with a much smaller fleet. Fewer aircraft means less buffer when something goes wrong — a tech issue on your flight may mean a 6-hour wait rather than a rebooking on the next flight two hours later.
The ₹300 Gap: When Is It Real and When Is It Bait?
I've seen the SpiceJet-vs-IndiGo price comparison enough times to know how it actually plays out. The headline fare on a Lucknow–Delhi or Jaipur–Mumbai route might show SpiceJet at ₹2,800 and IndiGo at ₹3,100. That ₹300 gap looks attractive. Here's what usually happens next:
- Bag fees: SpiceJet's free checked-baggage allowance on the cheapest fare class is sometimes lower than IndiGo's equivalent. Once you add 15kg checked baggage, the gap can flip. Always compare total cost, not base fare.
- Seat selection: Both airlines charge for pre-assigned seats above the middle seat. On a short 90-minute flight you might not care, but on a 2.5-hour leg it matters. Compare after adding both if that's relevant.
- Flexibility: SpiceJet's cancellation and date-change fees on cheap fares have been, at times, higher than IndiGo's equivalent tier. If there's any chance you'll need to change, run the numbers on the full fare-with-flexibility.
Use FlightGPT's fare search to compare the total cost including bags across both airlines before assuming SpiceJet is cheaper.
Refund Speed: The Hidden Cost of a Cancelled SpiceJet Flight
This is the part that doesn't show up in the fare comparison. When IndiGo cancels a flight, refunds for online bookings typically land within 7–10 business days — sometimes faster for credit card refunds. That's not great, but it's predictable.
SpiceJet refunds have, during its financially stressed periods, taken significantly longer — weeks rather than days in some cases. DGCA has issued directives about this. The airline has since cleared a lot of the backlog, but the risk remains higher than with IndiGo.
If you booked via an OTA like MakeMyTrip or EaseMyTrip, refund routing adds another layer. The OTA has to receive it from the airline before sending it to you. Cancellations on SpiceJet via OTAs during peak disruption periods have, anecdotally, been painful to chase.
Hard-won tip: If you must book SpiceJet, book directly on spicejet.com or via a credit card that gives you chargeback rights. An OTA adds one more dependency in the refund chain.
Routes Where SpiceJet Still Makes Sense
I don't want to write SpiceJet off entirely, because that's not honest. There are situations where it's a reasonable pick:
- Short, high-frequency corridors: Delhi–Chandigarh, Mumbai–Ahmedabad, Delhi–Jammu. These are under 90 minutes. Even a delay isn't catastrophic, and the fare difference can occasionally be meaningful.
- Leisure travel with flexibility: If you're heading to Goa on a long weekend with no fixed return plan, the risk calculus changes. Missing a connection isn't a concern. A refund taking two weeks is annoying but not a crisis.
- Routes where IndiGo or Akasa don't operate: SpiceJet still flies some Tier-2 to Tier-2 routes where competition is thin. Sometimes it's SpiceJet or a 12-hour train.
For anything involving international connections, important meetings, or a route where you can't afford to be stranded overnight — IndiGo or Akasa Air are the safer calls.
Akasa Air: The Third Option Worth Knowing
The comparison article headline always says SpiceJet vs IndiGo, but the honest 2026 version should mention Akasa Air. It's younger, has a newer fleet (all 737 MAXs), and its complaint rates in the first couple of years of operation have been low. It doesn't fly everywhere IndiGo does, but on routes it covers — Delhi-Mumbai, Bengaluru-Hyderabad, Mumbai-Ahmedabad — it's a serious contender.
Akasa also tends to be more competitive on pricing than people assume. Check it alongside both when using FlightGPT or any other metasearch. You might find it priced between SpiceJet and IndiGo, with reliability closer to IndiGo.
Air India Express is another one worth checking on South India and Gulf routes, especially since the Air India group has been investing in it post-Vistara integration.
What to Check Before Booking Either Airline
A few things I actually do before locking in any domestic booking:
- Check DGCA monthly stats for the previous month's OTP and cancellation data on the specific route. Takes 5 minutes at dgca.gov.in.
- Compare total fare including 15kg bag (or 20kg if you need it). The headline fare is almost never the full picture.
- Check what the change/cancel fee is on your specific fare class before assuming flexibility.
- Look at seat maps to see how full the flight is. A near-empty flight at a week out is a risk signal.
- Use a credit card that offers chargeback protection, not a debit card or wallet.
The FlightGPT AI search pulls prices across airlines and date windows — worth a quick check on flexible dates, especially if you have a couple of days of wiggle room.
Bottom Line
The ₹300 saving is real sometimes. But it's not always ₹300 once you add bags and seats, and it comes with a reliability gap that's well-documented in DGCA data. IndiGo isn't perfect — no Indian airline is — but its network depth and refund track record make it the default for time-sensitive travel.
SpiceJet has its place: leisure trips, flexible dates, routes where it's the only option, or situations where you've run the total-cost comparison and it genuinely comes out ahead. Just go in with your eyes open about what you're trading for that fare.
Frequently asked questions
Is SpiceJet still operating in 2026?
Yes, SpiceJet is still flying as of mid-2026, but with a smaller fleet than its peak. It went through significant financial stress in 2023–24 and reduced its network considerably. It operates on select domestic routes. Check spicejet.com or a flight search like FlightGPT for current route coverage before planning around it.
What is SpiceJet's DGCA complaint rate vs IndiGo?
DGCA publishes monthly airline performance data at dgca.gov.in, including on-time performance, cancellations, and passenger complaints per 10,000 passengers. Historically, SpiceJet's complaint rate has been higher than IndiGo's, particularly during its financially stressed periods. Check the latest monthly report for current figures — the data is freely available.
How long does a SpiceJet refund take?
For online direct bookings, SpiceJet refunds to credit cards typically take around 7–10 business days under normal conditions, but have taken longer — sometimes weeks — during periods of financial stress. DGCA has issued directives about refund delays in the past. For bookings made via OTAs like MakeMyTrip, allow extra time as the refund routes through the OTA. Always book on a credit card for chargeback protection if you're concerned.
Is Akasa Air more reliable than SpiceJet?
Based on available DGCA data and customer feedback, Akasa Air's complaint rates have been relatively low for a new airline. Its fleet is entirely Boeing 737 MAX, which means standardised maintenance. It doesn't cover as many routes as IndiGo, but on routes it operates — like Delhi-Mumbai and Bengaluru-Hyderabad — it's worth checking alongside IndiGo. Verify current OTP on dgca.gov.in before booking.
Which airline is cheapest for domestic India travel in 2026?
There's no single answer — it depends on the route, date, and how far in advance you book. IndiGo often has the most competitive fares because of its network scale and high frequency, which drives competition down. Akasa Air is frequently competitive on the routes it covers. SpiceJet occasionally prices lower but the total cost (with baggage and seats) is sometimes similar. Use a flight search like FlightGPT or Google Flights to compare across all three on your specific dates.
Does IndiGo charge for checked baggage on domestic flights?
IndiGo's domestic fares typically include 15kg of checked baggage, though this varies by fare class — the cheapest 'Super Saver' fares may not include it. Always verify what's included in your specific fare before booking. Akasa Air and SpiceJet have similar tiered baggage structures. Comparing total fare including your actual baggage need is essential for an honest price comparison.