Indian Airlines no longer flies under its own name. It merged in 2011. Read its story
Quick verdict
Which is better: Air India or Indian Airlines?
Given the historical context, a balanced verdict on who each airline is "best for" is not applicable. Indian Airlines served primarily domestic routes with a strong regional presence, while Air India focused on international long-haul travel. Post-merger, the unified Air India aimed to consolidate these operations. For consumers looking for travel options within India today, the decision would involve Air India as one of many choices against other domestic carriers like IndiGo, Vistara, SpiceJet, or Akasa Air. For international travel, Air India competes with a broader range of global airlines. The question is no longer "Air India versus Indian Airlines," but "Air India versus its current competitors" across its combined network. In essence, both airlines became one, so there is no trade-off to weigh between them in the modern aviation landscape.
At a glance
Search your flight
Unfortunately, I cannot provide a contemporary consumer comparison between Air India and Indian Airlines as separate entities for AirspaceTimes.com. Indian Airlines, a state-owned domestic carrier, was merged into Air India, the state-owned international carrier, in 2007. This merger created a single airline, which continued to operate under the Air India brand. Therefore, comparing them today as distinct airlines would be akin to comparing two different eras of the same company, not two competing services. My analysis typically focuses on current market offerings, service levels, and operational performance of airlines that are actively competing. Since Indian Airlines ceased to exist as an independent entity over a decade and a half ago, a consumer choice between the two is no longer possible.
About Air India Read more
Overview
Air India is the flag carrier of India. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines by J. R. D. Tata, nationalised in 1953 and returned to the Tata Group in 2022. It is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana. Air India Limited is owned by the Tata Group (74.9%) and Singapore Airlines (25.1%). The airline joined Star Alliance in 2014 and is the second-largest Indian airline by passenger volume, after IndiGo. Vistara merged into Air India in November 2024. Air India Express is a separate subsidiary.
Network and hubs
The main hub is Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, with secondary hubs at Bengaluru and Mumbai. Focus cities include Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram. As of November 2025 the airline served 87 domestic and international destinations. Codeshare and interline partnerships extend the network, for example with Virgin Australia and Alaska Airlines.
Fleet
As of November 2025, Air India operated 189 aircraft: Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo and A350, plus Boeing 777 and 787. The first factory-fit 787-9 was delivered in January 2026. Further orders were placed for Air India Express in January 2026.
On board
- Cabins: Legacy 777-300ERs have first, business and economy. 787-8s are two-class but are being retrofitted with premium economy. The A350-900 and 787-9 have business, premium economy and economy. A320/321ceo aircraft have business and economy; A320/321neo aircraft have three classes or all economy.
- Entertainment: Widebodies have seatback on-demand screens. Most narrowbodies have none, apart from the A321LR.
- Wi-Fi: Free on the A350, 787-9 and selected A321neo aircraft. In April 2026 the airline selected Hughes Network Systems for in-flight connectivity.
Good to know
- The loyalty programme is Maharaja Club, which combined Flying Returns and Club Vistara.
- Baggage allowances, change fees and lounge access vary by fare and route. Check the Air India website before travelling.
- Safety: Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025. All but one of the 242 people on board were killed, along with 19 people on the ground. Investigation findings should be checked for updates.
About Indian Airlines Read more
Global Network and Operations
-
Indian Airlines, originally established in 1953 and now merged into Air India, operated a vast domestic network along with select international routes primarily across South Asia and the Middle East. Its fleet mainly consisted of aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737, serving more than 60 destinations within India and abroad. The airline was well known for its focus on domestic air travel, connecting metropolitan cities with tier-2 and tier-3 towns.
- Domestic network covering major and secondary Indian cities.
- International flights to neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
- Fleet included Airbus A320, A319, Boeing 737, and ATR turboprops.
- Corporate headquarters located in New Delhi, India.
Innovation and Milestones
-
Indian Airlines was a pioneer in establishing reliable domestic air connectivity in India and introduced several service innovations over the decades.
- One of the first Indian airlines to operate jet aircraft commercially.
- Pioneered regional air connectivity connecting remote areas of India.
- Integrated advanced reservation systems in early 1990s to enhance customer booking experience.
- Merged with Air India in 2007 to form the national carrier Air India Limited.
Customer Experience and Recognition
Indian Airlines offered a straightforward cabin experience typically consisting of Economy Class seating tailored for short to medium haul flights. It was appreciated for dependable service and affordability on domestic routes. While it lacked premium cabins, the airline aimed to provide good value with included meals and friendly staff.
Future Outlook
Although Indian Airlines ceased operations following its merger with Air India, its legacy has influenced the development of domestic aviation in India. The future focus of the merged entity centers on expanding international connectivity, modernizing fleets, and enhancing customer-centric services to compete globally.
Ranking
Related airline comparisons
Compare the airlines
Compare two airlines side-by-side to see the real difference
We use cookies to keep the site working, understand how it is used, and show relevant content and ads. Choose Accept all to allow them, or Reject all to keep only the cookies the site needs. Read more in our Privacy Policy.