Types of Aircraft Flown by Indian Airlines in 2026: Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet Revealed!

Indian Airline Fleet: Air India, IndiGo, Akasa & More

Indian airlines operate everything from small 17-seat regional aircraft to large Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 long-haul jets. IndiGo relies heavily on the Airbus A320 and A321 families, Air India operates India's most diverse passenger fleet, Akasa Air uses only Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and regional carriers rely on ATR, Dornier and Embraer aircraft.

The aircraft type matters to passengers. It can determine whether your flight has a middle seat, seatback entertainment, USB charging, Business Class, larger overhead bins, a quieter cabin or even a different baggage experience.

This guide explains the main aircraft currently used by Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Alliance Air and other Indian airlines—and what those aircraft differences mean when you book a flight.

Table of Contents

• Indian Airline Fleets at a Glance
• Types of Passenger Aircraft Used in India
• Air India Fleet
• IndiGo Fleet
• Air India Express Fleet
• Akasa Air Fleet
• SpiceJet Fleet
• Alliance Air Fleet
• Star Air Fleet
• FLY91 Fleet
• What Is the Most Common Aircraft in India?
• Which Aircraft Fly Domestic Routes?
• Which Aircraft Fly International Routes?
• Which Indian Airlines Have Wide-Body Aircraft?
• Why Do Some Indian Flights Use Propeller Planes?
• Boeing 737 vs Airbus A320
• Does Aircraft Type Affect Comfort?
• Which Aircraft Have TV Screens?
• Which Aircraft Have USB Charging?
• How to Find Your Aircraft Before Flying
• Can the Airline Change Your Aircraft?
• Related Indian Airline Guides
• Frequently Asked Questions

Indian Airline Fleets at a Glance

Airline	Main Aircraft	Primary Use
Air India	A319, A320, A321, A350, Boeing 787, Boeing 777	Domestic, short-haul and long-haul international
IndiGo	A320, A321, A321XLR, ATR 72, leased 787/737 aircraft	Domestic, regional and expanding long-haul international
Air India Express	Boeing 737-8 and Airbus A320-family aircraft	Low-cost domestic and international
Akasa Air	Boeing 737 MAX family	Domestic and short/medium-haul international
SpiceJet	Boeing 737 family and Q400	Domestic, regional and short-haul international
Alliance Air	ATR 72-600, ATR 42-600 and Dornier Do-228	Regional and UDAN routes
Star Air	Embraer E175 and E145	Regional jet services
FLY91	ATR 72-600	Regional routes

Quick answer: If you fly domestically in India, you are most likely to board an Airbus A320/A321-family aircraft, Boeing 737-family aircraft or ATR turboprop. For long international flights, Air India's Boeing 787, Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 are the main Indian-operated wide-body aircraft, while IndiGo is rapidly expanding beyond its traditional narrow-body fleet.

Types of Passenger Aircraft Used in India

Indian airlines use four main categories of passenger aircraft.

Narrow-body jets

Narrow-body aircraft have one main passenger aisle. They operate the majority of domestic flights and many short- and medium-haul international routes.

Common examples include:

• Airbus A319
• Airbus A320
• Airbus A320neo
• Airbus A321
• Airbus A321neo
• Airbus A321XLR
• Boeing 737-700
• Boeing 737-800
• Boeing 737-900
• Boeing 737 MAX

Wide-body jets

Wide-body aircraft generally have two passenger aisles and are designed for longer routes, higher passenger capacity and larger cargo loads.

Indian-operated examples include:

• Airbus A350-900
• Boeing 777-300ER
• Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Regional turboprops

Turboprops use propellers driven by turbine engines. They are particularly efficient on short sectors and can operate from smaller regional airports.

Examples include:

• ATR 72-600
• ATR 42-600
• Bombardier Dash 8 Q400

Regional jets and small commuter aircraft

Smaller Indian carriers also use aircraft such as:

• Embraer E175
• Embraer E145
• Dornier Do-228

Propeller aircraft are not outdated aircraft. Modern ATR turboprops are specifically designed for short regional flying and can be more economical than a large jet on lower-demand routes.

What Aircraft Does Air India Use?

Air India has the most diverse fleet among India's major passenger airlines because it operates everything from short domestic flights to ultra-long international services.

Its current fleet includes:

• Airbus A319
• Airbus A320ceo
• Airbus A320neo
• Airbus A321ceo
• Airbus A321neo
• Airbus A350-900
• Boeing 777-300ER
• Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Air India's official fleet information in mid-2026 listed approximately 185 aircraft, excluding Air India Express.

Airbus A319

The A319 is the smallest Airbus narrow-body in Air India's current fleet. Only a small number remain as the airline modernizes around newer A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

Airbus A320 and A320neo

The Airbus A320neo is the backbone of Air India's domestic narrow-body operation. It is commonly used between major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata.

Air India is also refurbishing parts of its narrow-body fleet with updated seats, cabin interiors and entertainment options.

Airbus A321 and A321neo

The longer A321 carries more passengers than an A320 and works well on busy domestic routes and shorter international services.

Airbus A350-900

The A350 is one of Air India's newest and most important aircraft. It is a long-range wide-body aircraft featuring Air India's latest cabin product, including Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy.

The A350 is increasingly used on premium international routes and represents the direction Air India is taking with its future long-haul fleet.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Air India operates both Boeing 787-8 and newer Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

The 787 is used for medium- and long-haul international routes and is known for features including:

• Large electronically dimmable windows
• Lower cabin altitude than many older aircraft
• Wide-body two-aisle cabin
• Seatback entertainment
• Long-range capability

Boeing 777-300ER

The Boeing 777-300ER remains one of Air India's largest aircraft and is used on high-demand long-haul routes.

Fleet update: Older Air India fleet guides frequently list the Boeing 777-200LR. Air India's current mid-2026 fleet inventory no longer lists the 777-200LR as an active fleet type, so travelers should not assume that older aircraft lists remain current.

View Air India's official fleet information.

What Aircraft Does IndiGo Use?

IndiGo operates India's largest airline fleet. For years its model centered almost entirely on Airbus A320/A321-family aircraft and ATR turboprops, but that is now changing as IndiGo expands into longer international flying.

Its fleet now includes or uses:

• Airbus A320ceo
• Airbus A320neo
• Airbus A321neo
• Airbus A321XLR
• ATR 72-600
• Airbus A321 freighters
• Damp-leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft
• Temporary leased Boeing 737-family capacity

Airbus A320neo

The A320neo is one of the most common aircraft travelers see at Indian airports. IndiGo operates it in very large numbers on domestic and international routes.

Most IndiGo A320 aircraft use a six-across 3-3 Economy seating arrangement.

Airbus A321neo

The A321neo is longer than the A320 and allows IndiGo to carry more passengers or operate longer routes.

Different A321 configurations are now used, including aircraft with IndiGoStretch premium seating on selected routes.

Airbus A321XLR

The A321XLR is one of the most important additions to IndiGo's fleet. Although it is still a single-aisle aircraft, its extended range allows IndiGo to operate significantly longer international routes without requiring a traditional wide-body.

The aircraft includes IndiGoStretch seating as well as Economy and is part of IndiGo's strategy to expand farther into Europe and other long-haul markets.

ATR 72-600

IndiGo uses ATR 72 turboprops to serve smaller cities and lower-demand regional routes.

ATR aircraft have a narrower cabin and fewer passengers than an Airbus A320, but they allow IndiGo to connect airports that may not support or economically justify a larger jet.

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

IndiGo has also introduced Boeing 787-9 aircraft through damp-lease arrangements for selected long-haul international services.

IndiGo aircraft can now differ significantly. An ordinary domestic IndiGo flight may be an A320, while a regional flight could be an ATR and a long international service could use an A321XLR or leased Boeing 787. Check the aircraft before selecting your seat.

What Aircraft Does Air India Express Use?

Air India Express is the Air India Group's low-cost airline. After the integration of the former AirAsia India/AIX Connect operation, its fleet includes both Boeing and Airbus narrow-body aircraft.

The fleet is increasingly centered on:

• Boeing 737-8 MAX
• Airbus A320neo-family aircraft
• Other A320-family aircraft inherited through the combined operation

Air India Express uses these aircraft on domestic flights as well as international services to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and nearby countries.

Boeing 737-8

The Boeing 737-8 is an important part of Air India Express's modernization program. Newer aircraft can include updated cabins, USB charging and the airline's Xpress Biz seating product where available.

Airbus A320-family aircraft

The Airbus fleet came largely through the former AirAsia India operation and continues to provide substantial domestic capacity.

Air India and Air India Express are different airlines. A ticket sold within the Air India Group may be operated by Air India Express, so always check the words “operated by” on your booking.

What Aircraft Does Akasa Air Use?

Akasa Air has one of the simplest fleet strategies in India: it operates the Boeing 737 MAX family.

This single-family strategy helps a low-cost airline simplify:

• Pilot training
• Cabin crew training
• Maintenance
• Spare parts
• Scheduling
• Aircraft substitutions

Akasa has expanded rapidly since beginning operations in 2022 and continues adding new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as part of a very large long-term Boeing order.

The aircraft are used for:

• Domestic services
• Flights to the Gulf
• Middle East routes
• Routes to Southeast Asia

Akasa's newer aircraft can include USB-A and USB-C charging, modern seats and Boeing Sky Interior lighting.

Akasa difference: Unlike Air India, there is little mystery about the basic aircraft family. If you are flying Akasa, you should expect a Boeing 737 MAX-family aircraft unless the airline makes an unusual operational change.

Read: Akasa Air Review: Is It Good? Baggage, Food & Routes.

What Aircraft Does SpiceJet Use?

SpiceJet's core fleet continues to revolve around Boeing 737 jets and Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops.

Aircraft associated with its fleet include:

• Boeing 737-700
• Boeing 737-800
• Boeing 737-900/900ER
• Boeing 737 MAX
• Bombardier Q400

Boeing 737

SpiceJet uses 737-family jets on higher-demand domestic and short international routes.

Q400

The Q400 turboprop allows SpiceJet to serve smaller regional airports under normal commercial operations and India's UDAN regional-connectivity program.

SpiceJet has a more fluid fleet than some larger airlines. Aircraft may be temporarily added through wet-lease or damp-lease arrangements, while other aircraft may return to service after being grounded. For this reason, an exact aircraft count can change considerably during the year.

Check the current SpiceJet fleet.

What Aircraft Does Alliance Air Use?

Alliance Air specializes in regional connectivity and operates one of India's most distinctive fleets.

Its current fleet includes:

• ATR 72-600
• ATR 42-600
• Dornier Do-228

Alliance Air currently lists 18 ATR 72-600 aircraft, two ATR 42-600 aircraft and one Dornier Do-228.

ATR 72-600

The 72-seat ATR is the backbone of Alliance Air's network and is well suited to short regional flights.

ATR 42-600

The smaller ATR 42 carries around 48 passengers and allows the airline to serve lower-demand routes where even a 72-seat ATR may be too large.

Dornier Do-228

The Dornier is a very small regional aircraft used for specialized connectivity, particularly to airports where larger aircraft may not be practical.

No middle seat: ATR aircraft generally use a 2-2 seating layout, meaning every passenger gets either a window or aisle seat.

View Alliance Air's official fleet.

What Aircraft Does Star Air Use?

Star Air is unusual in India because it operates Embraer regional jets rather than Airbus, Boeing or ATR aircraft.

Its passenger fleet includes:

• Embraer E175
• Embraer E145

The airline currently lists eight E175 aircraft and four E145 aircraft.

Embraer E175

The E175 is a modern regional jet. Star Air configures its E175 with both Business and Economy seating on selected services.

The aircraft uses a 2-2 cabin in Economy, so there are no middle seats.

Embraer E145

The smaller E145 carries around 50 passengers. Its narrow regional-jet cabin gives passengers a noticeably different experience from an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.

Interesting difference: Star Air is one of the few Indian airlines where you may book a genuine regional jet rather than a turboprop when flying between smaller cities.

What Aircraft Does FLY91 Use?

FLY91 is a newer Indian regional airline that began operations in 2024.

Its fleet is based on the ATR 72-600.

The airline has been expanding its ATR fleet as it adds routes connecting regional cities, particularly in western and southern India.

This is a similar aircraft strategy to the regional operations of IndiGo and Alliance Air: use an efficient turboprop rather than flying a larger A320 or 737 on lower-demand routes.

What Is the Most Common Aircraft in India?

The Airbus A320-family is the dominant passenger-aircraft family in Indian aviation.

The main reason is IndiGo. Its enormous A320 and A321 operation means these aircraft account for a substantial share of daily Indian airline flights.

Air India and Air India Express also operate Airbus A320-family aircraft.

If you book a random domestic flight between two large Indian cities, an Airbus A320 or A321 is one of the most likely aircraft you will board.

Which Aircraft Are Used on Domestic Flights in India?

Common domestic aircraft include:

Aircraft	Typical Domestic Use
Airbus A320/A320neo	Major city-to-city routes and high-frequency domestic services
Airbus A321/A321neo	Busy routes requiring greater capacity
Boeing 737	Major domestic routes operated by Akasa, SpiceJet and Air India Express
ATR 72	Regional airports and shorter routes
Q400	SpiceJet regional routes
Embraer E175/E145	Star Air regional routes
ATR 42 and Dornier Do-228	Smaller regional markets

Wide-body aircraft occasionally operate domestic sectors for positioning, scheduling or high demand, but they are not the normal choice for most domestic flights.

Which Aircraft Fly International Routes From India?

Aircraft choice depends heavily on distance.

Short international routes

Flights to destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Colombo, Kathmandu and Bangkok can often be operated by:

• Airbus A320
• Airbus A321
• Boeing 737
• Airbus A321XLR on selected longer routes

Long international routes

Flights to Europe, North America, Australia and other long-distance markets may use:

• Airbus A350-900
• Boeing 777-300ER
• Boeing 787-8
• Boeing 787-9
• Leased wide-body aircraft on selected IndiGo routes

A long flight does not automatically mean a wide-body anymore. Newer aircraft such as the Airbus A321XLR allow airlines to fly much longer international routes with a single aisle.

Which Indian Airlines Have Wide-Body Aircraft?

Air India remains the main Indian airline with a large permanent wide-body fleet.

It operates:

• Airbus A350-900
• Boeing 777-300ER
• Boeing 787-8
• Boeing 787-9

IndiGo has also entered wide-body flying using leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft as part of its international expansion.

Akasa Air, Air India Express and SpiceJet primarily rely on narrow-body and regional aircraft for their scheduled passenger networks.

Why Do Some Indian Flights Use Propeller Planes?

Passengers sometimes assume that a turboprop must be older or less capable because it has visible propellers. That is not correct.

ATR and Q400 aircraft are particularly suitable for:

• Short flights
• Regional airports
• Lower passenger demand
• Shorter runways
• Routes where a 180-seat jet would be uneconomical

They also generally burn less fuel than a larger jet on short sectors.

Do turboprops feel different?

Yes. Passengers may notice:

• More propeller and engine noise
• A smaller cabin
• Lower overhead-bin capacity
• Boarding by stairs rather than jet bridge more often
• A 2-2 seating layout with no middle seat
• A lower cruising speed than an A320 or 737

If you carry a large cabin trolley: Regional aircraft have smaller overhead bins. Even when your bag meets the airline's general cabin allowance, crew may need to place it in the hold or use a special gate-check procedure.

Boeing 737 vs Airbus A320 on Indian Flights

Feature	Airbus A320 Family	Boeing 737 Family
Main Indian operators	IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express	Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Air India Express
Typical Economy layout	3-3	3-3
Middle seats	Yes	Yes
Domestic use	Extremely common	Very common
International use	Yes	Yes
Passenger difference	Depends more on airline configuration than manufacturer	Depends more on airline configuration than manufacturer

For most Economy passengers, the airline's seat configuration matters more than whether the aircraft was manufactured by Airbus or Boeing.

A newer Akasa 737 MAX may have better charging than an older aircraft from another airline, while a refurbished Air India A320 may offer a completely different cabin from an older Air India A320.

Does Aircraft Type Affect Flight Comfort?

Yes, but aircraft type is only part of the story.

Comfort can depend on:

• Seat pitch
• Seat width
• Recline
• Cabin age
• Seat padding
• Number of passengers
• Noise level
• Overhead storage
• Lavatory availability
• Entertainment
• USB and electrical power

Wide-body aircraft

A Boeing 787 or Airbus A350 generally provides a more spacious long-haul environment than a narrow-body, although Economy seats can still be relatively close together.

Regional aircraft

ATR and Embraer aircraft are smaller, but their 2-2 seating can be attractive because there is no middle seat.

Newer does not always mean more legroom

A technologically newer aircraft may burn less fuel and be quieter without necessarily providing more seat pitch. Airlines choose their own cabin layouts.

Which Indian Airline Aircraft Have TV Screens?

Seatback entertainment is most common on Air India's wide-body fleet, including many:

• Airbus A350 aircraft
• Boeing 787 aircraft
• Boeing 777 aircraft

Most ordinary domestic IndiGo, Akasa Air and other low-cost narrow-body flights do not have traditional personal seatback television screens.

Some airlines instead provide wireless entertainment that streams to the passenger's own phone or tablet.

Download entertainment before flying. Aircraft can be changed at short notice, so even if your originally scheduled aircraft has entertainment, do not make it your only plan.

Read:

• Which Indian Flights Have TV Screens? Air India, IndiGo and More
• Do Airlines in India Give Free Headphones or Earbuds?

Which Indian Airline Aircraft Have USB Charging?

USB availability increasingly depends on the exact aircraft and cabin rather than simply the airline.

You are more likely to find USB or power outlets on:

• Air India's newer A350 and 787 aircraft
• Newer or refurbished Air India narrow-body aircraft
• Many newer Akasa Air 737 MAX aircraft
• Newer Air India Express aircraft
• IndiGo aircraft equipped with its newer premium and long-haul cabin products

Never assume the USB port will work. Bring your device fully charged and carry an airline-compliant power bank in cabin baggage as a backup.

How Can You Find Your Aircraft Before Flying?

The easiest places to check are:

• Your airline booking page
• Manage Booking
• Seat-selection screen
• Airline mobile app
• Flight-status page
• Your boarding pass in some cases

The seat map often reveals the aircraft even when the model is not displayed prominently.

Look for these clues

• 3-3 seating usually indicates an A320/A321 or 737-family aircraft.
• 2-2 seating may indicate an ATR, Q400 or Embraer regional jet.
• Two aisles indicate a wide-body aircraft.
• A Premium Economy cabin can help identify certain long-haul configurations.
• IndiGoStretch can indicate a newer A321 configuration or A321XLR.

Can an Airline Change the Aircraft After You Book?

Yes. An aircraft assignment is generally not guaranteed.

Airlines may substitute another aircraft because of:

• Maintenance
• Operational disruption
• Passenger demand
• Weather
• Aircraft rotation
• Late arrival of another aircraft
• Schedule changes

This is called an equipment change or aircraft substitution.

Your seat may change after an aircraft swap. A seat selected on one configuration may not exist on another. Recheck your seat assignment when you receive an airline notification about a schedule or aircraft change.

Related Indian Airline Guides

• Akasa Air Review: Is It Good? Baggage, Food & Routes
• Domestic Airlines in India: Websites, Baggage & Contact Guide
• IndiGo International Flights: What Travelers Should Know
• Which Indian Flights Have TV Screens?
• Do Airlines in India Give Free Headphones or Earbuds?
• Wi-Fi on India Domestic Flights
• How Much Luggage Is Allowed on Domestic Flights in India?
• Codeshare Flights Explained

Frequently Asked Questions

What aircraft does Air India use?

Air India's current fleet includes Airbus A319, A320ceo, A320neo, A321ceo, A321neo and A350-900 aircraft along with Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 777-300ER wide-body aircraft.

Does Air India still use the Boeing 777-200LR?

Air India's current mid-2026 fleet inventory no longer lists the Boeing 777-200LR as an active fleet type. Older Air India fleet lists may still mention it.

What aircraft does IndiGo use?

IndiGo's core fleet consists of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft plus ATR 72 turboprops. Its expanding international operation also includes the A321XLR and damp-leased Boeing 787 aircraft, with other temporary leased aircraft used when required.

Does IndiGo have Boeing aircraft?

Yes, although Airbus remains the core of IndiGo's fleet. IndiGo has used damp-leased Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft to add capacity, especially as its international network expands.

Does IndiGo have Dreamliners?

IndiGo uses Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners under damp-lease arrangements on selected long-haul services. These are different from the airline's traditional Airbus narrow-body fleet.

What is the IndiGo A321XLR?

The Airbus A321XLR is an extended-range single-aisle aircraft that allows IndiGo to fly much longer international routes than an ordinary A320. It supports the airline's expansion into long-haul markets without requiring a wide-body on every route.

What aircraft does Akasa Air use?

Akasa Air operates the Boeing 737 MAX family. Using one aircraft family helps the low-cost airline simplify maintenance, training and scheduling.

What aircraft does Air India Express use?

Air India Express operates a mixed Boeing and Airbus narrow-body fleet centered increasingly on Boeing 737-8 aircraft and Airbus A320-family jets.

What aircraft does SpiceJet use?

SpiceJet's core passenger fleet includes Boeing 737-family jets and Bombardier Q400 turboprops. It may also temporarily use leased aircraft to increase capacity.

What is the most common aircraft in India?

The Airbus A320-family is the most common passenger-aircraft family in India, largely because IndiGo operates hundreds of A320 and A321 aircraft and Air India Group airlines also use the family.

Which Indian airlines use ATR aircraft?

IndiGo, Alliance Air and FLY91 are among the Indian airlines operating ATR turboprops. Alliance Air uses both ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 aircraft.

Which Indian airline uses Embraer aircraft?

Star Air operates Embraer E175 and E145 regional jets. These aircraft are smaller than an Airbus A320 but offer regional-jet service without middle seats in their typical Economy layouts.

Which Indian airlines have wide-body aircraft?

Air India has India's largest permanent wide-body fleet, including Airbus A350, Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft. IndiGo also uses leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft for selected long-haul services.

Which aircraft has no middle seat?

ATR aircraft normally use 2-2 seating, so there is no middle seat. Star Air's Embraer regional jets also provide layouts without the typical middle seat found on A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.

Are propeller planes safe in India?

Modern turboprops such as the ATR 72 and Q400 are commercial aircraft designed specifically for regional operations. They operate under the same applicable aviation safety and regulatory framework as other scheduled passenger aircraft.

Can an airline change the aircraft after I select a seat?

Yes. Airlines can substitute another aircraft for operational, maintenance or scheduling reasons. If the cabin layout changes, your seat number or seat type may also change.

Updated Aug 6th 2026