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Whether you're flying for 1 hour or 3, food is an important part of the flight experience. Here's everything you need to know about meals on Indian domestic flights.
Airline-by-Airline Meal Comparison
Air India - €š Complimentary Meals
- - €š Free meals on most domestic flights
- Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available
- Pre-order special meals (Jain, diabetic, child) 24h before departure
- Hot meals on flights 90+ minutes, snacks on shorter flights
- Complimentary tea, coffee, juices, and water
IndiGo - €š Buy on Board
- - €š - ° All food and beverages are paid
- Pre-book meals online during booking for 10-15% discount
- 6E Add-ons: Snack combo ( - € - ¹250-350), meal box ( - € - ¹350-500)
- Beverages: Tea/coffee ( - € - ¹100-150), cold drinks, water
- Popular items: Maggi, sandwiches, upma, poha
SpiceJet - €š Buy on Board / SpiceMax Included
- - €š - ° Regular fare: All food is paid
- - €š - €š SpiceMax fare: Complimentary meal included
- Pre-book meals for better pricing
- Menu includes sandwiches, wraps, Indian meals, snacks
Akasa Air - €š Buy on Board
- - €š - ° All food is paid
- Known for fresh, quality food options
- Caf - €™ - © Akasa menu with contemporary options
- Pre-booking available for better selection
Price Comparison Table
| Item | IndiGo | SpiceJet | Akasa | Air India |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veg Meal | - € - ¹300-450 | - € - ¹250-400 | - € - ¹300-450 | Free |
| Non-Veg Meal | - € - ¹350-500 | - € - ¹300-450 | - € - ¹350-500 | Free |
| Sandwich/Wrap | - € - ¹200-300 | - € - ¹200-250 | - € - ¹200-300 | Free |
| Tea/Coffee | - € - ¹100-150 | - € - ¹80-120 | - € - ¹100-150 | Free |
| Water (500ml) | - € - ¹50-80 | - € - ¹40-60 | - € - ¹50-80 | Free |
Can You Carry Your Own Food?
Yes! You can carry homemade food on domestic flights in India:
- - €š Dry snacks, sandwiches, fruit, biscuits
- - €š Thepla, paratha, poha (packed in foil/container)
- - €š Baby food in reasonable quantity
- - €¦ - ¸ - Avoid strongly-smelling food (courtesy to fellow passengers)
- - Liquids over 100ml (soups, curries) in cabin - €š pack in check-in
Pro Tips for In-Flight Dining
- Pre-book meals: Better selection and 10-15% cheaper than buying onboard
- Carry water: Buy after security to avoid paying flight prices
- Special diets: Pre-order Jain, vegan, or allergen-free meals 24h ahead
- Short flights: Eat before boarding - €š service time is limited on 1-hour flights
- Budget tip: Airport food courts are 30-50% cheaper than in-flight meals
Compare & Book Flights
Search all airlines on TheBookFlight.com. Factor in included vs paid meals when comparing Air India vs budget carriers!