Holiday plans just got cheaper as Air India Express rolls out its 2025 Freedom Sale, tying discounted fares to the Independence Day season. The airline is opening millions of seats at sharp prices for a short booking window, with travel stretching well into next year and covering major festivals.
What’s on offer and when to book
Air India Express has placed 5 million seats on sale, with domestic fares starting at ₹1,279 and international fares from ₹4,279. Bookings open on the airline’s website and app from August 10, and across major channels from August 11 to 15, 2025. Travel under the offer runs from August 19, 2025 to March 31, 2026, covering Onam, Durga Puja, Deepawali, and Christmas.
The airline is promoting the sale on its official social media, repeating the headline fares, the last date for booking, and the long travel window. Framed as part of its Independence Day celebrations marking 79 years, the offer comes with limited inventory on a first-come basis. That means popular routes and peak dates are likely to sell quickly, so early planning could make the difference.
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Fare choices, network, and ways to save
The lowest prices sit under the Xpress Lite fare, a budget option without check-in baggage that is available on the website and app. For travelers who need checked bags, Xpress Value starts at ₹1,379 for domestic journeys and ₹4,479 for international trips. These fare families let customers align costs with baggage needs, trimming extras where possible or building them in from the start.
The promotion covers a broad network of 38 domestic and 17 international destinations, with more than 500 daily flights flown by a fleet of about 116 aircraft. This spread includes busy India–Middle East city pairs popular with working professionals and families.
With demand expected to rise during festivals, picking dates early within the August–March window can help secure entry-level fares before the limited seats run out.
How travelers can make the most of the sale
Booking by August 15 improves the chance of finding the advertised prices, especially for weekends and holiday periods. A family eyeing a Diwali break could lock in lower fares by booking soon after the sale opens and choosing Xpress Value to include check-in bags from the outset. A solo traveler on a short business trip might choose Xpress Lite and stick to cabin baggage to keep costs in check.
Loyalty members can layer extra savings during the sale through discounts on premium Xpress Biz fares and add-ons such as seats, ‘Gourmair’ hot meals, baggage, priority services, and upgrades.
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With travel valid through March 31, 2026, the offer can also cover early 2026 plans, helping travelers secure fares for festive breaks and trips in the first quarter of the new year.
