While Air India Express is a low-cost airline, it also offers guaranteed connecting flights, including connecting flights to parent Air India.

However, unlike Air India, it is not a member of the Star Alliance.

When to buy tickets

The best way to buy tickets is directly from the carrier's website at airindiaexpress.com, but it's always worth comparing prices via, for example, skyscanner.com, as Air India Express has plenty of competition from other airlines on many routes.

In general, it is worth buying tickets about 2-5 months before departure.

For flights within India, prices are relatively low even 1 month before departure.

Fare classes

Air India Express has an economy class and also business class on some aircraft.

These classes are subdivided into several other different fares including various benefits when you buy tickets. The fare classes differ especially if you would like to change or cancel your ticket.

Unlike other Indian low-cost airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet or Akasa Air, you will not get checked baggage on Air India Express at the lowest fare, see details.

Air India Express destinations

The airline flies to more than 50 destinations.

It specialises mainly in routes where the parent airline Air India does not fly as much or on high frequency routes.

Air India Express has its largest hubs at these airports:

• Delhi DEL
  • a large number of domestic routes within India
  • Bahrain BAH, Dammam DMM, Sharjah SHJ
• Mumbai BOM
  • A large number of domestic routes across India
  • Abu Dhabi AUH, Dammam DMM, Muscat MCT, Sharjah SHJ
• Bangalore BLR
  • the largest hub with a large number of domestic routes across India
  • Abu Dhabi AUH, Dammam DMM
• Hyderabad HYD
  • large number of domestic routes across India
  • Jeddah JED, Phuket HKT, Riyadh RUH
• Amritsar ATQ
  • only 3 domestic routes
  • Bangkok BKK, Dubai DXB, Sharjah SHJ
• Chennai MAA
  • large number of domestic routes across India
  • Dammam DMM, Kuwait KWI, Muscat MCT, Singapore SIN
• Kochi COK
  • several domestic routes around India
  • Abu Dhabi AUH, Bahrain BAH, Dammam DMM, Doha DOH, Dubai DXB, Kuwait KWI, Muscat MCT, Riyadh RUH, Salalah SLL, Sharjah SHJ
• Trivandrum TRV
  • severaldomestic routes in India
  • Abu Dhabi AUH, Bahrain BAH, Dammam DMM, Doha DOH, Dubai DXB, Kuwait KWI, Muscat MCT, Riyadh RUH, Sharjah SHJ
• Kozhikode CCJ
  • Severaldomestic routes across India
  • Abu Dhabi AUH, Al Ain AAN, Bahrain BAH, Dammam DMM, Doha DOH, Dubai DXB, Jeddah JED, Kuwait KWI, Muscat MCT, Ras al Khaimah RKT, Riyadh RUH, Salalah SLL, Sharjah SHJ
• Lucknow LKO
  • only 5 domestic routes
  • Bangkok BKK, Dubai DXB, Muscat MCT, Ras al Khaimah RKT
• Mangalore IXE
  • 5 domestic routes only
  • Abu Dhabi AUH, Bahrain BAH, Dammam DMM, Doha DOH, Dubai DXB, Jeddah JED, Kuwait KWI, Muscat MCT
• Tiruchirappali TRZ
  • 5 domestic routes only
  • Abu Dhabi AUH, Bahrain BAH, Dammam DMM, Doha DOH, Dubai DXB, Kuwait KWI, Muscat MCT, Sharjah SHJ, Singapore SIN
• Surat STV
  • 5 domestic routesonly
  • Bangkok BKK, Dubai DXB, Sharjah SHJ