Air India first class vs. business class – Comparison

Gert Svaiko

Flying to India from the UK? You’ll likely be travelling with Air India, which operates several flights a week from London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports to destinations all over India.

If you’re considering treating yourself to an upgrade to business or first class, this guide is for you.

Below, we’ll compare the differences between business class and first class with Air India - looking at everything from costs and seating to in-flight service, lounge access and other perks.

This should help you work out whether an upgrade is worth it, and which fare class to go for.

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What’s the difference between first class and business class on Air India?

Let’s start off with an overview of what you get with each fare class with Air India, comparing the two side-by-side:

First classBusiness class
Cost£3,395.22 for London to Mumbai (one way)¹£1,072.22 for London to Mumbai (one way)¹
Seating/suite experience- Seat selection

- 180-degree recline sleeperette

- Two-abreast seating

- Seat selection

- Spacious cabins

- Plush seats

Food and drink- Complimentary gourmet meals¹

- Complimentary alcohol (except some routes)

- Complimentary meals¹ with wine
Baggage allowanceUp to 32 kg (2 pieces)²Up to 32 kg (2 pieces)²
Lounge accessYes (depending on airport availability)Yes (depending on airport availability)
Airport and boarding experiencePriority check-inPriority check-in
Onboard amenitiesIn-flight entertainment, including movies, TV, music and gamesIn-flight entertainment, including movies, TV, music and games
Extras- Amenities kit, including toiletries, socks and eye mask

- Velour slippers and loungewear for long-haul³

- Amenities kit, including toiletries, socks and eye mask

- Velour slippers and loungewear for long-haul³

Air India first class vs. business class price

Before we run through what you get with each fare class (i.e. dining, in-flight services and perks), let’s take a look at how much it costs to choose first class or business class with Air India.

Of course, the exact price will depend on your exact dates and destination, as well as whether you book a one-way or return flight.

But to give you an idea of the difference in cost between the classes, here are a couple of examples of medium and long haul flights with the airline. Both are one-way only, and flying on 3rd April 2025:¹

  • Medium-haul flight from London Heathrow to Mumbai - £1,072.22 for business class and £3,395.22 for first class
  • Long-haul flight from Delhi to New York Newark Airport (1 stop at Mumbai) - 432,989 INR (£3,955.90 GBP) for business class and 454,941 INR (£4156.46 GBP) for first class.

It’s worth noting that first class isn’t available on many Air India routes. Or if it is, first and business classes are mixed - such is the case for the Delhi to New York flight listed above.

💡 Read more: How much does it cost to hire a private jet in the UK

When to choose first class over business class

There isn’t a great deal of difference between business and first class with Air India. On some flights, the two classes even share the same space.

However, if you’re travelling long-haul, you may appreciate the extra luxury, comfort, space and service from first class (if available). This includes free gourmet meals and drinks, lie-flat seats and premium customer service.

Anyone can book either class though, even if you’re not travelling for business and you simply want more comfort and luxury than economy class.

Air India also has premium economy fares available, as well as its Maharaja Club frequent flyer programme.

Seating and suite experience

On long-haul flights in particular, seating will be particularly important to ensure you have a comfortable experience. Let’s take a look at seating and suite options with both Air India classes.

First class seating on Air India

Where there is a dedicated and exclusive first class cabin on the aircraft/route, this is where you’ll enjoy the most space, privacy and comfort compared to any other fare class.

Sharing the cabin with just 11 other first class passengers, you’ll get a super comfortable 180-degree recline sleeperette.⁴ Seating in the daytime or for shorter flights is two abreast, so couples can sit together.

Business class seating on Air India

Business class passengers will benefit from plush seats and spacious cabins, which may sometimes be shared with first-class passengers.

Other than this though, Air India doesn’t provide too much detail on seating and amenities for business class fares.

woman-sitting-in-business-class-watching-out-the-window

In-flight service and amenities on Air India

First class in-flight service

If you travel first class with Air India, you’ll benefit from:

  • Complimentary gourmet meals, with liquor, wine and/or champagne (alcohol not served on certain routes).⁴
  • In-flight entertainment, including movies, TV, music and games.
  • A luxury amenities kit, including toiletries, eau de parfum, socks and eye mask³
  • Velour slippers and loungewear (for long-haul flights)³.

Business class in-flight service

Business class passengers with Air India can expect the following as part of the in-flight service:

  • Complimentary meals served with wine (alcohol not served on certain routes)⁴
  • In-flight entertainment, including movies, TV, music and games.
  • A luxury amenities kit, including toiletries, eau de parfum, socks and eye mask³
  • Velour slippers and loungewear (for long-haul flights)³.

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First and business class food and drinks on Air India

In both first and business class, you’ll get gourmet meals - although what drinks are included depends on your fare type. For example, wine is served with meals in business class, but champagne and vintage wines are available in first class.⁴

And for business class, whether you get a hot meal or cold snacks depends on the length of the flight.⁵

If you have dietary requirements, you can order a special meal on the Air India website in advance of your flight.

Otherwise, meal choices reflect both international and Indian cuisine.

Lounge access – what do you get?

First class lounges for Air India

All first class tickets with Air India include lounge access as standard, although facilities depend which airport(s) you’re travelling to and from.

If you’re taking an international flight, you can access most Star Alliance lounges.⁶ This is a group of 25 member airlines. At London Heathrow, it’s the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, which has facilities including a bar, bistro, spa-like shower area and quiet zone.

But over in Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, you’ll have a choice of Star Alliance and contract lounges. This includes the Air India Lounge and Air India Maharaja Lounge, both of which offer a full range of facilities.

Business class lounges for Air India

As with first class, lounge facilities for Air India business class vary depending on the airport(s) you’ll be travelling through. You can access the same Star Alliance lounges as first class passengers in most cases.

But there’s a separate business class lounge at airports like Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

The luxurious Encalm Privé lounge (also part of the Star Alliance network) has free Wi-Fi, plus searching areas, a buffet, bar and dedicated fitness zone and spa. There’s even a play area for children, laundry and ironing service and sleeping pods.⁷

Airport and boarding experience with Air India – fast-track perks for business and first class

Both first and business class passengers with Air India benefit from premium check in on arrival at the airport (depending on availability).

Baggage allowance for first class and business class with Air India

Both first and business class passengers get the same baggage allowance with Air India. You can take up to 32 kg and a maximum of 2 pieces of luggage.²

Conclusion: is it worth upgrading to business or first class on Air India?

There isn’t a huge amount of difference between business and first class with Air India, except for the price. And in some cases, you might find that you’re all in the same cabin anyway.

There’s also the fact that first class isn’t available on many Air India flights, so you may not have the choice.

But where it is, you may find first class to be a little more luxurious, offering more space and more intimate, personalised customer service.

But hopefully after reading this guide, you’ll have all the info you need to compare the two fare types and choose the right option for you. Have a great flight!


Sources used:

  1. Air India - Flight selection
  2. Air India - Baggage allowance for Europe, UK and Israel
  3. The Economic Times- New Air India experience! What's inside amenity kits for passengers
  4. Air India - Cabin Experience
  5. Air India - Dining experience
  6. Star Alliance - Lounge Access Policy
  7. Encalm - Encalm Privé

Sources last checked on date: 17-Feb-2024


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