Air travel can become a regular necessity for many senior citizens in India, whether visiting family across states, attending personal commitments, or simply keeping the freedom of movement intact in later years. With rising fares, the financial strain of frequent flying is not insignificant, especially for those living on pensions or limited savings. Recognising this, several Indian airlines have introduced specific concessions for passengers aged sixty and above.
These discounts vary not only in percentage but also in the way they are structured; some offer flat reductions on base fares, others combine concessions with loyalty benefits or digital payment incentives. The terms, however, differ sharply: rules around cancellations, rebooking, baggage, and proof of eligibility can change the actual value of the offer. For a traveller trying to make sense of it all, the fine print matters just as much as the headline discount. Here’s what senior travellers should know about different airlines and their schemes.
Air India
Air India takes the crown for the most aggressive discount. A senior passenger, age 60 or above, can cut the base fare by up to 25 per cent. Sounds good, but here comes the fine print. The baggage allowance is standard 15 kg, nothing special. The change and cancellation charges, though, are heavy. Cancel more than three days before departure? That’s Rs 2000 gone. Cancel within three days? It jumps to Rs 3500. If a passenger misses check-in and falls into the no-show window, penalties go up to Rs 5000, with no refunds.
Documents are a non-negotiable issue. A photo ID with a date of birth must be carried at every step. Ticket counter, check-in, and boarding gate staff can and will demand it. Forget the ID, and be ready to pay double the booked fare plus taxes. Harsh, but that’s the rule.
In short, Air India offers the biggest discount, but the terms are strict, and the fees for mistakes are brutal. One wrong step, and the savings vanish.
IndiGo
IndiGo gives a straight 6 per cent off on the base fare for senior citizens. The discount is available only through the official website or app.
The appeal here lies in the ease of booking. A family can book all passengers senior and non-senior on a single PNR. No juggling separate bookings. Seniors can also choose double or triple seats directly from the widget. That’s IndiGo’s practical touch.
Change and cancellation charges are stiff but slightly more forgiving than Air India’s. If you cancel within three days, the fee is Rs 3500 or the airfare difference (whichever is lower). If you cancel earlier, it’s Rs 3000. One consolation: bookings made at least a week in advance come with a 24-hour window for free cancellation or modification.
It is important to note that seats and snacks remain chargeable. And yes, the discount can’t be combined with other promotions.
SpiceJet
SpiceJet for seniors aged 60 and above gives up to 14 per cent off the base fare, provided they book through spicejet.com or the airline’s reservation centre. No third-party travel agent bookings allowed if they want the discount.
The scope is limited. The concession applies only to direct domestic flights. No international routes. No codeshares. And the discount touches only the base fare, leaving all taxes and fees intact.
Flexibility is allowed; seniors can change or cancel bookings with charges applied but tickets are non-transferable. No name changes at all. Failure to show ID at check-in means the passenger pays the full fare, or risks being denied boarding.
Akasa Air
Akasa Air a relatively new airline keeps the senior concession small just 5 per cent off the basic fare, limited to “Saver” fares only. Bookings must be done through Akasa’s own website or contact centre, no exceptions.
The offer applies only to direct domestic flights. Tickets are refundable and changeable, but not transferable again, no name changes.
The terms lean heavily on ID proof. Without valid documentation showing date of birth, seniors must pay up the regular charges or face denied boarding. Seats are limited under this scheme, so last-minute bookings may not always find discounted seats available.
Air India Express
Air India Express offers a 6 per cent concession for senior citizens. Similar to IndiGo in percentage, but the booking path is more restrictive it applies only to reservations made through the official website or mobile app. No agent bookings.
The process to apply is spelled out step by step: choose “Senior Citizen” in fare type, add the passenger details with date of birth, pick the discounted fare, and pay. Straightforward enough.
But here’s where it complicates things no web check-in is allowed for senior citizen tickets. Seniors must present ID at the counter. Miss the ID and full fare charges apply.
On top of this, Air India Express ties in Tata NeuPass benefits, meaning members can earn NeuCoins when booking, provided their personal details match perfectly with ID documents. If they don’t, no benefits.
