Although it is the country's flag carrier airline, Air India is not India's biggest airline, and instead it comes as the third biggest behind IndiGo and Jet Airways. Originally called Tata Airlines, it was founded in 1930 and is still owned by the Indian government through Air India Ltd. The company's headquarters are in New Delhi with its main hub located at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airline also operates another hub at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai.

Air India has a large fleet of more than 100 airplanes with which it flies to over 80 destinations worldwide. The fleet is a mixture of Boeing and Airbus aircraft; the Airbus A320 being the most prevalent. Popular flights include routes to Sydney, Dhaka and Shanghai. It has been a member of the Star Alliance since 2014 and has codeshare agreements with nearly 20 other airlines, including Air New Zealand, Flybe and EgyptAir. During the 2000s it was merged with Indian Airways.

Online check-in

Air India offers online check-in for all flights, with counters opening 36 hours before departure and closing 4 hours prior to takeoff. Passengers can choose where to sit at the same time as they check in online. Passengers who have checked in online but have hold baggage will need to go to a company counter at the airport to drop it off. They should bear in mind that these counters close 45 minutes prior to a flights scheduled leave time. Passengers can also check in at the airport if they prefer. As already mentioned, airport check-in counters close 45 minutes before a flight and open 3 hours before departure.

Hand luggage allowance

Hand baggage allowance is the same for all Air India ticket types. Passengers are entitled to 1 piece of luggage and 1 personal item in the cabin. Each luggage item is subject to a maximum weight of 8 kg and maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Examples of a personal item include laptop bags, briefcases, camera bags or handbags. Any item being used as hand luggage must fit either in the overhead luggage compartment or under the seat in front of the passenger. Any hand luggage that exceeds the volumes permitted will be checked instead and will carry an additional charge.

Checked baggage allowance

Air India baggage allowance for a checked item varies based on the ticket class and the destination. The different allowances dictate that on domestic flights a passenger can carry up to 30 kg, while Executive and First Class passengers can carry up to 40 kg. Infants travelling on an adult's lap are allowed an additional 10 kg. On international flights to or from anywhere except the U.S. and Canada, passengers can carry up to 20 kg in Economy, up to 30 kg in Executive, up to 40 kg in First Class, and to 10 kg for infants travelling on an adult's lap. On international flights to or from the U.S. and Canada, economy passengers are allowed 2 pieces, each with a maximum weight of 23 kg and a maximum combined width, height and length of 158 cm.

Executive and First Class passengers are allowed 2 pieces, each with a maximum weight of 32 kg and a maximum combined width, height and length of 158 cm. Infants travelling on an adult's lap are allowed 1 piece, with a maximum weight of 23 kg and maximum combined width, height and length of 115 cm plus a foldable stroller or car seat. Selected sporting equipment can be carried on Air India flights at no extra cost. The company will not accept any item of luggage that is heavier than 32 kg. There will also be a charge for any luggage exceeding the volumes permitted.