All these years, Air India has been a preferred airline for family travel to India for its generous checked baggage allowance in Economy Class, irrespective of fare types. A once-in-a-year trip to home (generally) means heavy luggage, especially gifts for parents, close relatives, and friends. Even many parents visiting the US prefer Air India not just for nonstop flights but also its two free checked bag policy, as they pack in various homemade savories and other Indian essentials for their children settled there.
Not anymore! Air India’s free check-in baggage allowance on economy flights is now varying with fare types – VALUE and CLASSIC, effective for bookings made on or after 5 June 2025. The lowest economy fare with two pieces of free checked baggage (each up to 23kg) will be all history for new reservations starting June 5. Precisely, you can check in only one bag (max 23kg) for free with Air India flight tickets in the VALUE segment (lowest economy fare). Checking in a second bag for the VALUE economy fare would cost you USD 240 per one-way trip.
However, the CLASSIC fare type will let you check in two bags for free on Air India’s economy flights between USA and India, irrespective of routes, aircraft, and travel dates.
Air India: Fare Difference between Value and Classic in Economy
The difference between Air India’s VALUE and CLASSIC fares is only $60, which is just one-fourth of USD 240 for checking in a second bag with the VALUE economy tickets. If you have two bags (each 23kg) to check in, it is wise to choose the CLASSIC fare type over the VALUE fare type for Economy Class travel on Air India. The CLASSIC fare (though $60 more than the one-way VALUE fare) is worth not only for a free second checked bag but also lesser fees for rescheduling and cancellation.
“By choosing the lowest economy fare (VALUE) to save only $60 one way, you may end up incurring additional costs. If you need to pack more stuff into the free checked bag rather than checking in a second bag, Air India will charge you USD 130 for the free checked bag’s excess weight up to 32kg. Given all scenarios, we recommend CLASSIC fares to our customers for economy travel on Air India,” said the chief travel economist of Indian Eagle, the trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans.
I booked my flight tickets to Mumbai in April but I will travel in early July. I got the lowest Air India deal from Indian Eagle. Can I check in more than one bag for free?
Yes, you can. Since your booking was done in April, Air India’s revised checked baggage policy for the VALUE fare tickets does not apply to you. The changes to the check-in baggage allowance for the cheapest economy fares of Air India is effective for new bookings made on or after 5 June 2025.
Is there any proof the passenger will need to provide at the AI counter that they are eligible for 2 pieces of checked luggage? Or is this information available to the AI agent via my ticket number? I booked via Indian Eagle on May 8 and traveling Nov 20 out of SFO to CCU and back Dec 18. Thanks for any information you can provide!
Hi Sanchita! You must have received e-tickets from Indian Eagle. Your e-tickets are the proof of the free checked baggage allowance permitted to you since you booked in May 2025.