Air India Introduces No-Meal "Basic Fare" On 20 Domestic Routes | N18S

[00:00:00]Is Air India removing complimentary meals from flights? That's the question many travelers are asking. Air India has always stood out for one thing, a meal on board no matter what ticket you bought, but that's beginning to change now. Air India has introduced a new fare category called basic fare on 20 domestic routes connecting Delhi. These are non-metro routes like Chandigarh, Bhopal, Lucknow, and a few others. The new fare will be cheaper than the airline's existing value, classic, and flex fares, but there's a catch.

[00:00:29]Passengers opting for the basic fare will not get complimentary meals on board. Currently, passengers can book this fare only on Air India's website and not on any travel booking platforms like MakeMyTrip. The move brings Air India closer to the model followed by low-cost carriers like Indigo and others where passengers pay separately for meals and the other add-on services.

[00:00:49]Now, Air India says the basic fare is meant for price-conscious travelers who want a lower ticket price and don't mind skipping the meal. So, no, Air India is not completely removing complimentary meals. If you book value, classic, or flex, your meal stays, but if you choose the basic fare, you'll save some money and pay separately for your food if you want.