Airline Reviews

Air India Review 2026 — Is the Tata Makeover Working?

Updated June 25, 2026 | 7 min read

Air India has undergone a massive transformation since the Tata Group took over. New planes, better service, and fresh branding. But has it really changed? Here's our honest review.

Air India at a Glance

OwnerTata Group (since Jan 2022)
Fleet Size200+ (incl. A350, B787, A321neo)
TypeFull-service carrier (FSC)
HubDelhi T3
Star AllianceYes ✓
Free MealsYes ✓ (all flights)
Free Baggage25kg domestic, 30kg international

What's Improved ✅

  • New aircraft: Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner for international routes
  • Cabin refresh: New seats, better IFE screens on wide-body aircraft
  • Service: Staff training has noticeably improved friendliness
  • Lounges: Revamped lounges at Delhi and Mumbai
  • App & booking: Modernized website and mobile app
  • Punctuality: On-time performance improved to 80%+

What Needs Work ❌

  • Older domestic aircraft: Some narrow-body planes still have old interiors
  • Pricing: 10-20% more expensive than IndiGo on domestic routes
  • Customer service: Complaint resolution still slow sometimes
  • Wi-Fi: Not available on most domestic flights

Air India vs IndiGo

Feature Air India IndiGo
Free meals✅ Yes❌ No
Free baggage✅ 25kg❌ 15kg (paid)
On-time80%85-90%
PriceHigherLower
Seat comfortBetterBasic

Our Verdict

Rating: 3.5/5 — Air India is clearly improving under Tata. Worth flying for international routes and when you need free baggage + meals. For quick domestic trips, IndiGo's lower price and better punctuality still wins.

Compare Air India Fares

Search All Airlines on TheBookFlight

More Airline Reviews

IndiGo Review Best Airlines Ranking