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Travelers flying with Air India to Europe and the UK will now face increased charges if they wish to check in a second bag, a move that aligns the airline's policy with those of many Western carriers. Starting October 17, Air India has categorized its economy fares into families, where the most affordable option includes a 23 kg check-in bag allowance.
For passengers needing to check in an additional bag, opting for a higher economy fare is necessary, with the price difference beginning at approximately Rs 4,000 for a one-way journey. This strategy mirrors the practices of airlines such as Lufthansa, which permits economy passengers only one check-in bag, and British Airways, which has varying economy fare levels permitting up to two bags of 23 kg each.
In an attempt to stay competitive and adapt to market trends, Air India, now under the ownership of the Tatas, has revamped its fare structure on routes to Europe and the UK. The airline stated, "Air India has restructured its fare families on Europe and UK routes to better align the same with market trends and offerings. AI now offer travellers a more affordable 'value' fare option that provides one piece of checked baggage weighing 23kg with limited travel flexibility. Travellers who seek more baggage allowance and higher travel flexibility can opt for the 'classic’ and 'flex’ fares that continue to offer two pieces of checked baggage weighing 23kg each in economy. 'Value’ fares are available only for economy class bookings." This restructuring is part of Air India's broader efforts to improve its service offerings and align with global standards, with the airline operating 264 weekly flights to and from Europe and the UK.
The revision in baggage policy is a significant shift from Air India's previous approach, where, prior to its divestment, the state-owned carrier would offer a more generous baggage allowance to attract passengers, compensating for its less competitive cabin experience and punctuality.
However, with the Tatas' substantial investment in enhancing Air India's overall quality, expectations are high that these improvements will become evident across the fleet in the upcoming years. Nonetheless, some passengers are questioning the timing of these new baggage restrictions, suggesting that it might have been more appropriate after noticeable enhancements in Air India's wide-body aircraft and on-time performance.
Air India's decision to adjust its baggage allowance policy comes at a time when the airline is striving to improve its market position through better cabin products and punctuality, while also facing competition from both domestic and international carriers. A Delhi-based Chartered Accountant, planning to book a flight for his son from Europe for Christmas, noted the fare difference for an extra check-in bag is Rs 8,000. He highlighted that a major Gulf carrier, offering a 35 kg baggage allowance, is cheaper by Rs 20,000, despite the longer travel time due to a layover at its hub. This reflects the competitive dynamics of the aviation industry, where airlines must balance service offerings with cost competitiveness to attract and retain passengers.
A senior Air India official defended the fare structure adjustment, stating, "The difference is not much between our one and two check-in bags economy fares for Europe and UK flights. For instance, it could be about Rs 4,000 (one-way) for a, say, Delhi-Frankfurt flight. The idea was why should a person travelling with one check-in pay the same as someone doing so with two check-in bags." This rationale underscores the airline's effort to introduce a fairer pricing model that accounts for passengers' varying needs and preferences.
As the aviation sector evolves, with carriers like Air India and IndiGo expanding their reach and improving their offerings, traditional hub-and-spoke airlines based in the Gulf, Europe, and Asia may need to rethink their strategies to maintain their share of the growing India-international travel market. Air India, with its revised fare structures and ongoing improvements, aims to position itself as a competitive choice for travelers, balancing affordability with service quality.
