Air India has once again taken the lead in the Indian aviation market by expanding its premium economy class, making luxury more accessible to domestic travelers. As the only Indian airline offering premium economy alongside business and economy class, Air India is now offering an upgrade to premium economy for just Rs 599 more than the standard economy fare on select domestic routes. This move is aimed at passengers seeking a balance between affordability and enhanced comfort.

Expanding the Premium Economy Offering

The airline currently provides over 50,000 premium economy seats per week across 39 domestic routes, including high-traffic sectors like Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Bangalore, Delhi-Hyderabad, Mumbai-Bangalore, and Mumbai-Hyderabad. These key metro-to-metro routes alone account for approximately 34,000 of these seats.

To cater to increasing demand, Air India is set to expand its premium economy seating capacity by 30 per cent , bringing the total available seats per week to more than 65,000. This expansion comes as part of the airline’s broader strategy to offer enhanced travel experiences at competitive price points.

Why Choose Air India’s Premium Economy?

For travelers looking for an upgraded experience without paying business-class fares, Air India’s premium economy provides several advantages:

More Comfort: Wider seats with a 32-inch pitch and 4-inch recline ensure a more relaxing journey.

Premium Seating: Passengers can enjoy free seat selection, including preferred seating options.

Priority Services: Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling add to a seamless travel experience.

Gourmet Dining: Meals are served in premium chinaware, enhancing the onboard dining experience.

Enhanced Cabin Experience: Fewer seats in the premium economy cabin mean a quieter and more spacious ambiance.

This upgraded experience allows passengers to enjoy business-class-like comfort at a fraction of the cost, making it an attractive option for frequent flyers and business travelers.

Tech-Enabled Entertainment: A New In-Flight Experience

To complement its premium economy expansion, Air India has rolled out Vista Stream, a wireless in-flight entertainment system available across its entire fleet (except A350 and upgraded B777 aircraft). This system provides passengers access to over 1,000 hours of entertainment content directly on their personal devices, ensuring a more enjoyable journey.

Affordable Luxury for the Growing Domestic Market

Air India’s strategic move to make premium economy more accessible is a response to changing traveler preferences. With an increasing number of domestic flyers seeking more comfort without exorbitant costs, the airline is tapping into a lucrative market segment. The Rs 599 upgrade offer makes premium economy an enticing choice for travelers who want more than basic economy but are not ready to splurge on business class.

Strengthening Market Position

The expansion of premium economy is part of Air India’s broader strategy to strengthen its foothold in the competitive Indian airline industry. By offering affordable luxury, the airline aims to attract a wider audience, including corporate travelers, frequent flyers, and families looking for a more comfortable journey.

As Air India continues to enhance its services and customer experience, its premium economy offering is poised to set a new standard in domestic travel, making comfort and affordability go hand in hand.