Air India Baggage Policy in 2025: Know Your Limits & Avoid Extra Charges

Air India's baggage policies for domestic flights are quite simple and dependent on the class of service you are flying under. This airline has set different baggage allowances depending on your chosen fare. Below are the baggage allowances given for domestic flight travels:

Economy Class

• Comfort Fare: If you opt for the Comfort Fare option, you are allowed 15 kgs of checked-in baggage.
• Flex Fare: Flex Fare has relatively more generous baggage allowance compared with the previous ones at 25 kg of checked-in.

Business Class

The baggage allowance for Business Class is generally higher.

• Comfort Plus Fare: Comfort Plus Fare Business class passengers will get 25 kg of checked baggage.
• Flex Fare: For Flex Fare, the allowance for checked baggage goes up to 35 kg.

Baggage regulations change from place to place and from ticket type to ticket type when you take an international flight, usually more liberal concerning baggage allowances than most domestic flights. Considering these factors, since international routes will always differ concerning baggage allowances in accordance with the destination that one is flying to, it is advisable to check with Air India for the specific route you are flying along.

One thing, however, that you have to note is that if you are traveling internationally, then you are likely to be allowed much more weight as compared with domestic traveling, thus making it much easier to carry more luggage.

Besides checked-in baggage, Air India has also defined the policy related to the cabin baggage which is luggage carried on board an aircraft. It is really crucial to learn all these limits to avoid the inconveniences posed by the flight.

• Domestic Flights: For domestic flights, there will usually be a standard allowance of 1 cabin baggage weighing not more than 7 kg. This is the same allowance irrespective of the fare category. The sum of lengths, breadths, and heights of the cabin bag must not be more than 115 cm.
• International Flights: There are different allowances for cabin baggage on international flights. But in most cases, it includes something like 1 cabin luggage of 7kgs.Again, the total size limit is 115 cm.Now, this size limit includes not just a suitcase but some more things like a backpack or laptop bag, small handbag.

Sometimes, it happens that your luggage might go a step further than the airline's weight limit. It can be due to extra gifts, sports equipment, or simply more than usual use. The cost of excess baggage can add up pretty quickly.

It would be a good idea to pre-purchase additional baggage allowance, as this is the best way to avoid extra fees. Apart from booking a ticket, Air India passengers can purchase extra baggage weight for their travels after even the booking has been confirmed. This could save you money as, in most cases, extra baggage can be purchased online for a cheaper price than buying at the local airport.

Air India has some special baggage allowances, which vary depending on certain circumstances like flying with an infant, a student, and getting an extra seat. Now, let us analyze these special allowances:

• Flying with an Infant: When flying with an infant under 2 years, you are entitled to an additional 7 kg of cabin baggage for the infant to carry essential items like diapers, milk, toys, and, of course, a baby chair.
• Student Baggage Allowances: Students flying on a student discount fare may carry an additional 10 kg as checked baggage, for a total of 25 kg. That is a great advantage for students flying home during breaks or traveling to college.
• Extra Seat for Comfort Use or Fragile Items: Holding an extra seat for your comfort and those fragile items will entitle you to an additional 10 kg as checked baggage, aside from the standard allowances.

In case you are in a hurry or do not enjoy the wait at the airport, Air India has a check-in baggage service called Zipahead service. This means you can minimize the time you need for check-in as you are granted access to an exclusive check-in line. In addition to these time savings, rest assured that your baggage will appear right at the first in the baggage claim area, which really helps if you are tight on time!

Every traveler's nightmare is reaching the destination and discovering that baggage has been lost or delayed. Luckily, Air India has a well-defined policy for this.

• Domestic Flights: If baggage is delayed or lost on a domestic flight, Air India will compensate for the inconvenience. You may claim INR 19,000 per bag.
• International Flights: Maximum compensation is INR 66,000 for two bags on international travel.

This ensures that you will not be left high and dry in cases of mishaps with luggage during the flight.

Besides the above, there is this service by Air India where one can have completed baggage delivery. Immediately on arrival at the airport, one would not have to haul the luggage into further journeys or travel to another destination. What this would entail is that Air India would pick up all your bags from the airport and carry them to a given destination address. This is very helpful for those traveling with a lot of baggage. It just makes travel that much easier for everyone.

Baggage storage services are also available from Air India. You can store your bags for a maximum of 30 days. It is a useful option for people who want to keep their bags for some time before proceeding with the onward journey.

Here are a few last end tips to ensure a neat baggage experience;

• Check the Limits First before Leaving: Prior to your airport visit, always check the allowance on baggage according to your fare type and destination.
• Weight Your Bags: When in doubt, just weigh your bags at home. In case it is overweight, you would know what to do.
• Pre-Purchase Excess Baggage: If you are above the allowance, then it will certainly pay to purchase excess baggage before travel rather than at the airport.
• Make Plans for Special Items: If there are breakable items or other special needs, consider buying an extra seat or avail yourself of the special allowances for checked baggage.