How to Get a Student Discount on Air India Flights: Step-by-Step Guide

University life comes with plenty of expenses, and flights can easily become one of them.

Maybe you’re flying home during semester break. Maybe you’re moving to a new city for college. Or perhaps you’re travelling overseas for a course, internship, or exchange programme.

Before you book your ticket, check whether you’re eligible for Air India’s student fare. Many students focus only on the discounted ticket price, but the real value often comes from the extra baggage allowance and flexible travel benefits that come with it.

Check whether you’re eligible

Start here before you begin to book flight tickets.

For domestic flights, you generally need to be at least 12 years old and enrolled in a full-time course at a recognised school, college, or university.

For international travel, the student fare is usually available to travellers between 12 and 30 years old who are studying full-time at a recognised institution.

You’ll also need documents that prove your student status, such as:

• A valid student ID card
• An admission or acceptance letter
• A student visa where required

Keep these documents accessible. The airline may ask to see them during your journey.

Select the student concession when searching for flights

Many students miss the discount because they never select the student option while booking.

When you’re searching for flights on the airline website or app, look for the concession section and choose “Student” before you view fares.

Once selected, you may receive:

• Up to 10% off the base fare
• Additional baggage allowance
• One free date change

Seat availability still applies, so don’t assume every flight will have the student fare available.

Verify your student status before you travel

If you have an APAAR ID, consider verifying your student status before booking.

APAAR allows the airline to confirm your eligibility in advance, which can make the process smoother later.

Many students only think about verification after booking. Completing it early means you can focus on your travel plans instead of worrying about paperwork at the last minute.

Don’t focus only on the ticket discount

The fare reduction usually gets the most attention, but many students save even more through the additional baggage allowance.

Think about what you normally carry when travelling between university and home. Clothes, books, electronics, study materials, and personal belongings add up quickly.

If you’re taking a Bangalore to Delhi flight at the start of a semester, paying for extra baggage separately could cost more than you expect. The student fare helps reduce that problem by giving you additional allowance from the start.

For many students, that’s where the biggest saving actually comes from.

Combine the fare with payment offers

Before paying, check whether any additional offers are available.

Air India regularly runs promotions for certain payment methods, including UPI. Combining a student fare with a payment offer can sometimes reduce the overall cost even further.

A few extra minutes at checkout can be worth it if you’re trying to keep travel expenses under control.

Use the free date change wisely

Academic schedules rarely stay exactly the same.

Exam dates move. Admission timelines change. Internship start dates get pushed back.

Student fares include one free date change, although you’ll still need to pay any fare difference.

Having that flexibility can be useful when you’re booking flights weeks or months in advance and don’t have every detail finalised yet.

Keep your documents ready on travel day

Don’t pack your student documents inside checked baggage. Keep them with you.

Airlines may verify your student status during airport procedures, especially if you’re travelling on a discounted fare. Producing the documents quickly makes the process much easier.

A valid student ID and admission-related documents are usually enough, but always check the latest requirements before travelling.

Complete online check-in as soon as it opens

Student fares often attract travellers heading home during semester breaks, holidays, and long weekends. Airports tend to get much busier during those periods.

Once online check-in opens, complete it and download your boarding pass. You’ll get your travel details sorted before reaching the airport and, on some flights, you’ll have a better chance of choosing a seat you actually want.

Check your flight details before you leave home

Don’t assume the details you saw when you booked your ticket are still the same on travel day.

Before heading to the airport, open the airline app and take a quick look at your departure time and flight information.

Students often travel on tight schedules. You may be heading to an exam, joining a new semester, or travelling back to university after a break. Spending a minute checking your booking before you leave can help you avoid unnecessary surprises later.

Final thoughts

Getting the student discount is fairly straightforward once you know where to look. Select the student concession while booking, keep your student documents ready, and make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.

Along with discounted fares, you may also receive extra baggage allowance and one free date change. If you’re a student who travels regularly between home and university, those benefits can make your trips more affordable and flexible.