Flight Travel Guides
Verified airline policies, step-by-step how-tos, and expert tips from the HappyFares editorial team — all sourced directly from official airline pages and DGCA regulations.
OCI Card Holders on Domestic Flights in India 2026: ID Rules & Pricing
OCI holders fly domestic at Indian fares — carry foreign passport + OCI card together. Passport-number relaxation + DigiYatra notes.
⏱ 5 min read Read guide →Why Are Flights So Expensive in India 2026? ATF, Taxes & Competition
ATF is 40-50% of airline cost (vs 25% global) due to state VAT; post-Jet/Go-First ~90% IndiGo+AI consolidation; plus how to find cheaper fares.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →Power Bank Rules on Indian Flights 2026: DGCA Limits & Wh Calculation
DGCA 11-Nov-2025 advisory: ≤100 Wh cabin-only, max 2 per passenger, no in-flight use. mAh→Wh conversion + brand-by-brand table.
⏱ 8 min read Read guide →Liquid 100 ml Rule on Indian Flights 2026: BCAS LAG Rules + Exceptions
Each container ≤100 ml in one 1-litre zip-lock bag. Baby food, medicine, and duty-free STEB exceptions explained.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →BCAS One-Bag Rule for Cabin Baggage in India 2026
7 kg Economy / 10 kg Business, 55×40×20 cm, plus one personal item under 3 kg. Pre-May-2024 ticket exemption covered.
⏱ 5 min read Read guide →Valid ID for Domestic Flight in India 2026: Aadhaar, DL, PAN — Full List
Accepted IDs incl. m-Aadhaar + e-Aadhaar, children/NRI/OCI rules, and what is NOT accepted at airport security.
⏱ 5 min read Read guide →Items Not Allowed in Cabin Baggage on Indian Flights 2026: Complete List
60+ item table (cabin vs checked): knife, lighter, deodorant, e-cigarette, cultural items, food — all clarified.
⏱ 8 min read Read guide →How to File an AirSewa Complaint Against an Indian Airline (2026)
Step-by-step grievance process + escalation chain: airline → AirSewa → consumer forum → DGCA. Free, 21-45 days.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →TCS on Foreign Travel from India 2026: 5%/20% Slabs + Refund Process
Section 206C(1G): 5% on tour packages ≤₹10L, 20% above; standalone flights NIL; fully refundable via ITR.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →Customs Duty Allowance Returning to India 2026: Gold, Electronics, Alcohol
₹50K resident allowance, gold 40g men / 20g women, 2L alcohol, USD 5K cash, Red vs Green channel rules.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →DGCA Passenger Rights in India: Complete Compensation Guide 2026
Refund rules, denied-boarding compensation up to ₹20,000, baggage loss claims, and how to file complaints via AirSewa.
⏱ 10 min read Read guide →Star Air Complete Guide 2026: Routes, Baggage & Booking
India's Embraer-only regional carrier from Hubli — UDAN network, Tier-2/3 connectivity, fares ₹2,500–₹6,500.
⏱ 8 min read Read guide →Alliance Air Complete Guide 2026: Routes, ATR Fleet & UDAN
India's largest UDAN operator (50+ routes) with all-ATR 72 fleet — N-E lifeline + Tier-2/3 connectivity.
⏱ 8 min read Read guide →Star Air Baggage Allowance: Complete Guide 2026
Star Air (S5) baggage rules: 15 kg checked + 7 kg cabin, excess at ₹400/kg online, Embraer regional jet limits.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →Star Air Cancellation Policy & Refund Guide 2026
Fees ₹0–₹3,000 by time-to-departure, 24-hour DGCA free-cancel window, refund timeline 5-7 days.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →Star Air Web Check-in: Complete Guide 2026
T-48h to T-60min check-in window, app + website walkthrough, seat selection rules, DigiYatra notes.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →Alliance Air Baggage Allowance: Complete Guide 2026
Alliance Air (9I) baggage rules: 15 kg + 7 kg, ATR 72 weight-and-balance constraints, ₹350/kg online excess.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →Alliance Air Cancellation Policy & Refund Guide 2026
Fees ₹0–₹3,000, 24-hour DGCA free-cancel rule, refund timeline 7-10 days (govt-entity processing).
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →Alliance Air Web Check-in: Complete Guide 2026
T-48h window, app + website flow, UDAN airport considerations, seat selection rules for ATR 72.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →Air India Baggage Allowance: Complete Guide 2026
Domestic 25 kg (the highest in India), intl 25-46 kg by region/class, excess fees, post-Vistara-merger rules.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →Air India Express Cancellation Policy 2026
Xpress Value/Lite/Flex/Biz fees ₹1,500-₹6,500, 24h DGCA window, post-AIX-Connect-merger booking notes.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →Akasa Air Baggage Allowance: Complete Guide 2026
Akasa Lite (0 kg), Plus (15 kg), Stretch (20 kg). Plus excess rates, intl Gulf-route rules, comparison vs IndiGo/SpiceJet.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →Akasa Air Cancellation Policy & Refund Guide 2026
Lite/Plus/Stretch fees ₹2,500-₹6,000, fastest refunds in India (3-5 days), DGCA rules, comparison vs other carriers.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →IndiGo International Baggage Allowance Guide 2026
Gulf 30 kg, SE Asia 25-30 kg, SAARC 25 kg + 7 kg cabin. Excess rates, codeshare rules, Gulf-route packing tips.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →SpiceJet International Routes & Baggage Guide 2026
Network (Gulf, SE Asia, SAARC), baggage by SpiceSaver/Flex/Max, excess fees, vs IndiGo on Gulf routes.
⏱ 6 min read Read guide →Best Time to Book Flights in India 2026
4-6 weeks ahead, Tue/Wed mornings, depart Tue/Wed for 12-18% savings. Cheapest months + time-of-day data.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →Air India International Web Check-in & API Guide 2026
T-48h to T-90min, mandatory APIs for US/UK/Schengen/AU, document data requirements, common failure fixes.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation in India 2026
7-step process: document → airline complaint → AirSewa → NCH 1915 → Consumer Court. Compensation tiers per DGCA.
⏱ 9 min read Read guide →DigiYatra Complete Guide for Indian Travellers 2026
Facial recognition airport access at 28+ Indian airports. Enrollment, benefits, privacy concerns, troubleshooting.
⏱ 8 min read Read guide →IndiGo Web Check-in: Complete Guide for 2026
Opens T-48h, closes T-60min. Web + app walkthrough, free vs paid seats, DigiYatra integration, error fixes.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →IndiGo Cancellation Policy & Refund Guide 2026
24h free window, fee table for every fare type, refund timeline, and how to cancel with ₹0 OTA processing fee.
⏱ 9 min read Read guide →IndiGo Baggage Allowance: Complete Guide for 2026
Domestic 15–20 kg, international 25–30 kg, excess fees, pre-buy discounts, and tips to pack smart.
⏱ 8 min read Read guide →Air India Cancellation Policy & Refund Guide 2026
Fee tables for every fare type, 24-hour free cancellation rule, refund timelines, and how to cancel online.
⏱ 9 min read Read guide →Air India Web Check-In: Complete Guide 2026
Opens 48h before departure. Step-by-step for domestic + international, seat selection, and API requirements.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →Air India Express Baggage & Check-in: Complete Guide 2026
Xpress Value/Lite/Flex baggage rules, Gulf-route 30 kg allowance, post-merger booking notes, and check-in flow.
⏱ 9 min read Read guide →SpiceJet Baggage Allowance: Complete Guide for 2026
SpiceSaver/Flex/Max allowances, international rules, pre-purchase rates, special items (sports, pets, instruments).
⏱ 8 min read Read guide →SpiceJet Cancellation Policy & Refund Guide 2026
Fee tables per fare type, 24-hour DGCA free-cancel window, refund timelines, and SpiceJet-cancels-you rights.
⏱ 8 min read Read guide →SpiceJet Web Check-In: Step-by-Step Guide 2026
Check-in opens 48h before departure. How to use the app, pick free seats, and get your mobile boarding pass.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →Akasa Air Web Check-in: Complete Guide for 2026
Akasa Air check-in window (T-48h to T-75min), Lite vs Plus vs Stretch seat selection, app walkthrough, DigiYatra setup.
⏱ 7 min read Read guide →Akasa Air Complete Guide 2026: Baggage, Fares & Review
India's newest airline: Lite vs Plus vs Stretch fares, baggage rules, OTP stats, and whether Akasa is worth booking.
⏱ 10 min read Read guide →