Want to catch an earlier Air India flight? Learn everything about Air India Fly Prior program and how it can make your travel more flexible and convenient.
What is Air India's Fly Prior Program?
Air India Fly Prior Program (also known as Fly Early) allows you to change to an earlier flight on the same day as your booked flight. This flexible service is available only for domestic routes and is perfect for passengers who find themselves at the airport earlier than expected and want to adjust their travel plans.
Who is Eligible for Fly Prior?
Fly Prior is available for Air India passengers holding a confirmed domestic ticket who wish to move to an earlier flight on the same route and cabin class as originally booked. However, unaccompanied minors and group bookings are not eligible for this service.
How Can You Use the Fly Prior Service?
To use the Fly Prior service, follow these simple steps:
- Arrive at the Airport: You must request Fly Prior at the airport itself. The service cannot be booked in advance.
- Visit the Ticketing Office or Check-in Counter: Request to change to an earlier flight, depending on seat availability.
- Pay the Applicable Fee: If there’s a seat available on an earlier flight, pay the applicable fee to switch to that flight.
Example: Suppose your original flight from Mumbai to Delhi is at 8 PM. You arrive at the airport at 5 PM and find that there’s an earlier flight at 7 PM. If seats are available, you can switch to an earlier flight.
I recently attempted to use Air India fly early program
Fly Prior Fees: How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of the Fly Prior service depends on the departure zone of your flight.
- Zone 1 (Major cities): ₹2,199 (inclusive of taxes).
- Zone 2 (Other cities): ₹1,499 (inclusive of taxes).
Note: Maharaja Club Gold and Platinum members can avail of Fly Prior for free. This is one of the best perk of holding a status with Air India
Fly Prior Zones
Air India has divided its flights into two zones for pricing purposes:
- Zone 1 Cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune
- Zone 2 Cities: Agartala, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Bagdogra, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Bhuj, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Goa, Guwahati, Imphal, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Leh, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Nagpur, Patna, Port Blair, Rajkot, Raipur, Ranchi, Silchar, Srinagar, Tirupati, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vijayawada, Varanasi, Visakhapatnam, and more
Fly Prior: Important Things to Keep in Mind
- Same-Day Travel: The service only applies to earlier flights on the same calendar day as your original booking.
- No Cabin or Route Changes: You cannot change your route or cabin class. The flight must be on the same route and in the same cabin as originally booked.
- Non-Transferable Services: Services like special meals, preferred seats, and lounge access are non-transferable to the new flight.
Our Take - Why Use Air India Fly Prior Program?
Fly Prior is a convenient service that gives you flexibility, especially if you arrive early at the airport or need to change your travel plans on the same day. It’s easy to use, and the cost is reasonable, making it a great option for frequent travelers.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
No, Fly Prior can only be requested at the airport on the day of your travel.
If no seats are available, you cannot switch to the earlier flight and must stick with your original booking.
No, this service is available only for domestic flights within India.
No, infants travel free with the guardian’s Fly Prior fee.
There are no additional baggage restrictions, but keep in mind that excess baggage fees will still apply if you have more than the allowed baggage quota for your flight.