Air India, which is owned by the Tata Group, has eliminated certain adjustments to its policy on menu-based pricing for fare families. The airline has lowered the free cabin baggage limit from 20kg to 15kg for domestic flights with the lowest economy pricing category.
Air India implemented menu-based pricing models for fare families in August of last year, arguing that a one-size-fits-all strategy is no longer appropriate.
Before this, travellers on Air India’s domestic flights could carry up to 25 kilos of cabin luggage free of charge. Other domestic carriers, including as IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet, provide free cabin baggage up to 15 kilograms.
Air India offers three fare classes – Comfort, Comfort Plus, and Flex – with varying degrees of amenities and fare limitations at different price points. According to the airline, the complimentary cabin baggage limit for the ‘Comfort’ and ‘Comfort Plus’ categories would be lowered to 15 kg from 20 kg and 25 kg, respectively, beginning May 2.
“On domestic flights in Economy Class, both the ‘Comfort’ and ‘Comfort Plus’ price families now give 15 kg of luggage allowance, while ‘Flex’ provides 25 kg. Business Class luggage allowances on domestic flights range from 25 kilograms to 35 kg. “The free baggage allowance on international flights varies by market,” the airline representative noted.
An Air India representative said on Saturday that tariff families are intended to allow travellers to choose the rates and services that best meet their needs.
In a domestic sector like Delhi-Mumbai, the price difference between ‘Comfort Plus’ and ‘Flex’ prices is normally approximately Rs 1,000, with the ‘Flex’ cost giving over Rs 9,000 in value, including 10 kg extra luggage and no change or cancellation penalties.
The introduction of fare families is in response to consumer input and Air India’s exhaustive analysis, which was benchmarked against the offerings of comparable competitors in each area where it has been offered, according to the spokeswoman.
