Last updated: June 2026
Which Airlines Offer Student Discounts in India?
Several major Indian airlines offer dedicated student fares that provide 5-10% off base fares plus additional baggage allowances. This is particularly useful for students flying between their hometown and college city during semester breaks. Here's the complete breakdown of every airline offering student discounts in India as of 2026:
Air India — 10% Off + Extra Baggage
Air India has the most generous student discount program among Indian carriers:
- Discount: Up to 10% off published base fare on domestic flights
- Extra baggage: Up to 10kg additional check-in baggage (total 35kg on most routes)
- Eligibility: Students aged 12-25 with valid student ID from a recognized Indian institution
- Booking method: Select "Student" fare type during booking on airindia.com or call the reservation center
- Routes: Available on all domestic routes and select international routes
IndiGo — Student Fare + Extra Baggage
IndiGo, India's largest domestic carrier, offers a dedicated student fare category:
- Discount: 5-8% off on select routes (varies by route and availability)
- Extra baggage: Up to 10kg additional check-in baggage included free
- Eligibility: Full-time students aged 12-25 at recognized educational institutions
- Booking method: Look for "Student Fare" option on goindigo.in under Special Fares section
- Verification: Carry your valid student ID to the airport — they may check at check-in
SpiceJet — Student Discount on Select Routes
- Discount: 5-7% off base fare on select domestic routes
- Extra baggage: 5-7kg additional check-in allowance
- Eligibility: Students aged 12-25 with valid student ID
- Booking method: Select "Student" in the passenger category during booking on spicejet.com
- Availability: Not available on all routes — check during booking
Akasa Air — Student Fare Category
- Discount: 5-8% off on domestic routes
- Extra baggage: Up to 7kg additional check-in baggage
- Eligibility: Students aged 12-25 studying at recognized institutions
- Booking method: Select "Student" passenger type on akasaair.com
- Note: Akasa is a newer airline — student fares may not be available on all routes yet
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for student flight discounts in India, you generally need:
- Age: Between 12 and 25 years old at the time of travel
- Enrollment: Currently enrolled as a full-time student at a recognized educational institution (school, college, or university)
- Valid ID: A current student ID card with your name, photo, institution name, and validity date clearly visible
- Indian institution: Most airlines require enrollment at an Indian institution (some accept international student IDs for outbound flights)
Accepted documents:
- College/university ID card (most commonly accepted)
- Bonafide certificate from institution
- School ID card (for students aged 12-18)
- ISIC (International Student Identity Card) — accepted by some airlines
What You Get: Summary of Benefits
| Airline | Discount | Extra Baggage | Age Limit | Booking Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air India | Up to 10% | +10kg check-in | 12-25 | airindia.com (Student fare) |
| IndiGo | 5-8% | +10kg check-in | 12-25 | goindigo.in (Special Fares) |
| SpiceJet | 5-7% | +5-7kg check-in | 12-25 | spicejet.com (Student category) |
| Akasa Air | 5-8% | +7kg check-in | 12-25 | akasaair.com (Student type) |
Note: Discounts and baggage allowances are approximate and may vary by route, season, and availability. Always verify current offers on the airline's official website before booking.
How to Book: Step-by-Step Guides
Booking Air India Student Fare
- Go to airindia.com and search for your route and dates
- On the search page, look for the "Special Fares" or "Student" option in the fare types
- Select "Student" — the results will show discounted student fares
- Complete your booking with your details (name must match your student ID)
- At check-in or boarding, carry your valid student ID — airline staff may verify
- If booking via phone (1800-180-1407), mention "student fare" when calling
Booking IndiGo Student Fare
- Visit goindigo.in and enter your travel details
- On the booking page, look for "Special Fares" in the navigation or fare selection
- Click on "Student" under special fare categories
- Browse available student fares for your route (shown with discounted price)
- Select your flight and proceed to payment
- Keep your student ID ready for verification at the airport
When to Book: Best Times for Student Travel
Semester Break Travel (December-January & May-June)
- Book 3-4 weeks in advance for semester break travel — student fares sell out quickly during peak student travel periods
- Tuesday and Wednesday flights are typically 15-20% cheaper than Friday/Sunday flights
- Early morning (5-7 AM) and late night (10 PM+) flights offer the lowest fares
Festive Season (October-November)
- Dussehra and Diwali are the most expensive domestic travel periods
- Book 6-8 weeks in advance for festive season — even student fares get expensive if you wait
- Consider traveling 1-2 days before/after the exact festival date for significantly lower fares
General Tips for Cheapest Fares
- Set fare alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner for your regular routes
- Book on Tuesday/Wednesday — airlines often release discounted fares mid-week
- Compare student fare vs regular fare — sometimes regular fares during sales are cheaper than student fares
- Consider connecting flights for expensive routes — sometimes a stopover saves ₹2,000-3,000
International Student Fares
For international travel, student discounts are more limited but still available:
- Air India: Offers student fares on select international routes (mainly to USA, UK, Canada, Australia). Includes extra baggage — crucial for students going abroad for studies.
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad: Offer student fares on select routes with extra baggage (usually +10-23kg). Book through their website and select "Student" category.
- STA Travel / StudentUniverse: Platforms that aggregate student fares from multiple international airlines — sometimes offering exclusive deals not available directly.
Combine with ISIC Card for International Travel
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is recognized worldwide and can unlock additional travel discounts:
- Cost: ₹950 for the card (valid 12 months)
- Benefits: Discounts on flights (via student travel agencies), museum entries, local transport, hostels, and more across 130+ countries
- Where to get: Apply online at isic.org or through authorized agents in India
- Best for: Students studying abroad or planning international trips during semester breaks
Pro Tips for Maximum Savings
- Use a student credit card — Cards like SBI Student Plus or Axis MY Zone offer 1-2% cashback on flight bookings, stacking with airline student discounts
- Book directly on airline websites — Student fares are often not available on third-party platforms like MakeMyTrip or Cleartrip
- Join airline loyalty programs — Air India's Flying Returns and IndiGo's IndiGo BluChip are free to join and earn miles even on student fares
- Download airline apps — Some airlines offer app-exclusive student deals not shown on the website
- Group bookings — If traveling with 4+ friends, ask for group fares — sometimes cheaper than individual student fares
- Keep your ID updated — Expired student IDs will be rejected. Get a new one at the start of each academic year.
Looking for more ways to save as a student? Check out our complete student discounts directory with 240+ verified offers on travel, software, food, and entertainment — all available with a valid student ID.
Disclaimer: Discount percentages, baggage allowances, and age limits mentioned are approximate and based on publicly available information as of June 2026. Airlines may change their policies at any time. Always verify current offers directly on the airline's official website before booking.
