Air India Express to Reconfigure Fleet for All-Economy Class Seating Starting April 2025
Mumbai, India - Air India Express, the airline operated by the Tata Group, is set to undergo a significant transformation in its aircraft configuration starting April 2025. The airline has announced that it will be focusing solely on economy class seating on all its planes, marking a major shift away from business class configurations.
The move comes following the merger of AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with Air India Express on October 1, which has marked a significant step in Tata's broader consolidation of its airline operations. The merger has given Air India Express access to more resources and capabilities, allowing it to reconfigure its fleet to better meet growing demand for affordable travel between smaller towns and major metropolitan hubs.
According to industry reports, the airline currently operates 90 aircraft, including Boeing 737s and A320s, which will be streamlined into an all-economy class configuration. White-tail Boeing 737-8 planes, originally manufactured for other carriers but later repurposed by Air India Express, will undergo significant reconfigurations to accommodate the new layout.
Air India Express aims to simplify its fleet by eliminating business class seats and focus on serving its core market, which includes connecting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with major metropolitan hubs. The airline plans to expand its reach to smaller cities and towns, as well as strengthen its international network through regional flights to destinations in the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and eventually South Asia.
Industry analysts say that the move towards an all-economy class fleet reflects broader industry trends among low-cost carriers, which are focused on streamlining operations to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Air India Express aims to increase its fleet to over 110 aircraft by the end of the financial year, with further additions expected in the future.
With this significant overhaul, Air India Express is well-positioned to meet growing demand for affordable air travel between smaller towns and major metropolitan hubs. As part of Tata's broader airline operations consolidation, the airline's network strategy is closely aligned with that of its sister airlines, including Air India, Vistara, and AIX Connect.
Airline officials say that the reconfiguration of its fleet is a key step towards strengthening domestic routes and expanding international connectivity. They added that the move will enable the airline to better serve its customers' needs and compete more effectively in an increasingly competitive air travel market.
Air India Express aims to increase passenger satisfaction through this strategic decision, which demonstrates the company's commitment to providing affordable and efficient air travel services as part of Tata's ambitious airline operations plans.