India’s two largest airlines, IndiGo and Air India, have introduced lower-priced fare options aimed at passengers looking to reduce travel costs. The move comes at a time when higher operating expenses have pushed up airfares, making rail and road travel more attractive for many travellers.

While Air India recently introduced a basic fare without complimentary meals, IndiGo has now launched a fare category that excludes check-in baggage.

IndiGo introduces baggage-free fare

IndiGo on Wednesday announced its new “Lite” fare option for passengers travelling only with cabin baggage. The new fare category will be available for bookings through the airline’s direct channels and will apply to travel from July 15.

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Passengers choosing the Lite fare can carry cabin baggage weighing up to 7 kg but will not receive complimentary check-in baggage allowance. The airline said the new fare could reduce ticket prices by around Rs 300-400 on domestic routes, while discounts on international sectors may vary.

According to the airline, the new “entry level fare allows customers with only cabin-baggage to pay just for the utilised services offering greater flexibility and control over their travel spends.”

IndiGo said the Lite fare will be available on domestic and international non-stop routes for one-way, roundtrip and multicity bookings for both adults and children.

Travel smart. Travel Lite.
Meet IndiGo Lite – a fare designed for those who carry less, wait less, and do more.#goIndiGo pic.twitter.com/4hcUKSwac0— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) July 1, 2026

Air India introduced no-meal option earlier

The development comes weeks after Air India launched its new “basic” fare category for domestic flights. The option allows passengers to save between Rs 300 and Rs 700 by opting out of complimentary meals.

However, Air India continues to offer a 15-kg check-in baggage allowance, a 7-kg cabin baggage allowance and complimentary tea or coffee under the basic fare.

Both airlines have also allowed customers to purchase additional services such as meals or baggage after booking, subject to applicable timelines before departure.

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Airline says move offers more flexibility

IndiGo chief strategy officer Aloke Singh told The Times of India, “At IndiGo, we continuously evolve our product offerings to stay aligned with the changing expectations of our diverse customer segments. Designed for customers who travel light and would like to pay only for the services they need, IndiGo Lite is another step towards building a strong, fit-for-purpose product portfolio.

This reflects our agility in responding to the market dynamics while reinforcing our commitment to making travel more accessible and affordable for our customers.”