Air India reduces free cabin baggage allowance

The Air India representative said the fare families are prepared to allow passengers select the sort of fare and services that best suit their requirements, given that travellers today have various choices, and a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer ideal.

Overview: 

Loss-making Air India has implemented changes to its cabin baggage policy, reducing the free allowance for the lowest economy fare segment on domestic flights from 20 kilograms to 15 kilograms. 

These modifications are part of the menu-based pricing model fare families introduced by the Tata Group-owned airline in August last year.

Introduction of Fare Families: 

Air India now offers three fare families – Comfort, Comfort Plus, and Flex – each with varying benefits and fare restrictions at different price points. 

The adjustments aim to provide passengers with options that align more closely with their preferences and requirements.

Changes in Baggage Allowance: 

Effective from May 2, the free cabin baggage allowance for Comfort and Comfort Plus fare categories has been reduced to 15 kilograms and 25 kilograms, respectively. 

Prior to the introduction of fare families, passengers enjoyed a flat 25-kilogram allowance on domestic flights in the Economy Class.

Variations in Baggage Allowance: 

The Business Class baggage allowance on domestic routes now ranges from 25 kilograms to 35 kilograms, while the allowance for international flights varies depending on the market. 

However, other domestic airlines also typically permit passengers to carry 15 kilograms of cabin baggage without additional charges.

Customized Options for Passengers: 

Air India emphasizes that the fare families are designed to cater to the diverse preferences of modern travelers. By offering different levels of benefits and services, passengers can select the fare that best suits their needs. 

For instance, the price disparity between Comfort Plus and Flex fares may be around Rs 1,000 on routes like Delhi-Mumbai, with Flex fares providing additional benefits such as extra baggage allowance and flexibility in changes or cancellations.

Conclusion: 

While the reduction in free cabin baggage allowance may impact passengers accustomed to higher limits, Air India’s adoption of fare families reflects an industry-wide trend towards offering more customized and flexible options to meet the evolving needs of travelers.