Best Airlines in India

Last Updated on February 11, 2026 by Rajat Bhati

With a growing middle class and increasing air travel demand, the Indian aviation industry is going through a massive change. India is expected to surpass China and the US to become the world’s third largest air passenger market by 2030, according to IATA. With the demand rising, the number of planes in the sector is increasing. The number of planes is expected to touch 1,100 by 2027. Market estimates predict an 18-20% year-on-year growth in the Indian aviation sector in FY26. The biggest airlines in India are IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet, each with their unique business model.

During the last 10 years, the country has doubled the number of departing seats to 23 crore. This growth has been suitably aided by Government initiatives, such as the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) which has resulted in enhanced regional connectivity and improved infrastructure in underserved areas. Starting in October 2016, the UDAN scheme has been extended for another 10 years, giving thrust to airport modernization and technology integration. The government aims to increase the number of airports in India from 157 to 400 by 2047.

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Best Airlines in India

1. IndiGo – One of the Most Profitable Airlines in India

IndiGo Airlines (officially InterGlobe Aviation) is the largest airline in India in terms of passengers carried and fleet size. As of early 2026, IndiGo market share stands at approximately 63%. In FY25, IndiGo carried 11.36 crore passengers with a passenger load factor of 84.6%. Known for its operational efficiency and low-cost model, Indigo operates a fleet of 440 aircraft, primarily consisting of the fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo family. It serves 140 destinations (96 domestic and 44 international) with more than 2,200 daily flights. Its massive orderbook of 920+ aircraft ensures a steady capacity growth of approximately 13–15% annually. To attract premium travelers, IndiGo has launched ‘IndiGo Stretch,’ a business class service, and the ‘IndiGo BluChip’ loyalty program.

IndiGo is the best airlines in India because its business model relies on three attributes:

• Affordable Fares: Utilizing the youngest fleet (average age 4.9 years) to keep fuel costs low
• On-Time Performance: Refined SOPs and digital tools that ensure 99.9% technical dispatch reliability.
• Hassle-Free Experience: Self-service tools like ‘Plan B’ for disruptions and AI-powered ‘6Eskai’ for natural language customer support.

2. Air India: Largest Airlines in India

Air India has undergone a massive transformation since the Tata Group acquisition. In a historic move, the merger of Vistara into Air India was completed in November 2024, and AirAsia India (AIX Connect) was merged with Air India Express in October 2024. As of early 2026, the unified Air India group holds a market share of approximately 28%.

In FY2024-25, Air India reported a revenue of INR 51,364.8 crore. While the group saw a loss of INR 6,692 crore during this transformation phase, it has 198 aircraft in its fleet and a massive order book of over 470 aircraft. With the integration of Vistara’s premium service and new wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A350, Air India is reclaiming its status as a world-class global carrier.

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3. SpiceJet: Top Airlines in India

SpiceJet is a low-cost carrier that, after raising INR 3,000 crore in late 2024, is now executing an aggressive turnaround strategy. As of September 2025, the airline has a total fleet of 54 aircraft, with a focused plan to double its operational capacity to 40 aircraft by the end of 2025.

To meet peak demand, the airline is scaling its operations significantly, moving from 125 daily flights to 225 daily flights for the Winter Schedule 2025. Financially, SpiceJet has reached major milestones by settling long-standing liabilities with Carlyle Aviation and Credit Suisse, which has helped improve its credit profile (upgraded to Acuité BB Stable).

The airline currently operates to 39 destinations (including 5 international routes like Phuket and Kathmandu) and maintains a healthy passenger load factor of 84.2%. Under new leadership, including industry veterans like Sanjay Kumar (ED), SpiceJet continues to lead the UDAN scheme and is prioritizing network expansion to high-growth hubs like Ayodhya and other religious circuits.

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SpiceJet’s Customer Experience

• Service & Support: Ranked No. 1 in grievance redressal, resolving most concerns within 24 hours.
• Special Operations: Focuses on high-demand regional events like the Maha Kumbh and Haj pilgrimage.
• Target Audience: SpiceJet continues to attract budget travelers with highly competitive pricing and specialized regional routes.

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4. Akasa Air: Top International Airlines in India

Akasa Air is the fastest-growing entrant in the Indian market. By early 2026, its fleet size reached 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with a substantial order book of 199 aircraft scheduled for phased delivery through FY2032. The airline currently serves 27 destinations, including 5 international and 22 domestic routes across 49 total routes. The airline focuses on a low-cost model with an all-economy configuration that allows for higher capacity. It maintains a strong passenger load factor of over 90% and has captured a market share of nearly 5%.

Akasa Air has also expanded into international territory, operating flights to Doha, Jeddah, and Riyadh. Known for its ‘Café Akasa’ service and eco-friendly operations, the airline has over 200 aircraft on order to fuel its future expansion despite early operational hiccups.

Apart from all these best airlines in India, some top international airlines in India are also popular. This includes names like Etihad Airways, Lufthansa Airlines, and Qatar Airways.

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Conclusion

The Indian aviation sector is moving fast with IndiGo leading the market at 63% share and Air India emerging as a powerful full-service conglomerate under Tata Group. SpiceJet is on a recovery path following its successful fund infusion, while Akasa Air is rapidly scaling its international and domestic footprint. With government support and infrastructure growth, the future of Indian aviation looks exceptionally bright.

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