Air India Bags Best Domestic Airline Title at Travel + Leisure Awards 2025

India’s national carrier Air India has once again secured the title of Best Domestic Airline at the Travel + Leisure India and South Asia’s Best Awards 2025, marking its second consecutive win. The recognition is significant as it comes at a time when the airline is undergoing one of the most ambitious transformation programmes in global aviation, focusing on fleet renewal, service quality, and customer experience.

About Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Awards

• Organised by Travel + Leisure India and South Asia
• Completely reader-voted awards, unlike jury-based recognitions
• Votes are cast by passengers and travellers based on actual experiences

Parameters include,

• Service quality
• Comfort
• Reliability
• Overall travel experience

Hence, the award directly reflects customer trust and preference

Importance of the Award

Indicates rising expectations of Indian travellers

Validates Air India’s efforts toward,

• Improved onboard comfort
• Consistent service delivery
• Better operational reliability

Strengthens Air India’s domestic market credibility

Customer Trust at the Core

• According to the airline, the award highlights the confidence passengers have shown in Air India’s services across domestic routes.
• The role of frontline staff, cabin crew, and ground operations teams was also emphasised, as they remain central to delivering consistent travel experiences.
• Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India, noted that winning the award for the second year in a row underscores the airline’s commitment to building a world-class travel experience.

Air India’s Transformation Journey

• The award coincides with a crucial phase of Air India’s ongoing transformation following its return to the Tata Group.
• The airline is investing heavily in both infrastructure and service quality to reposition itself as a global aviation brand.
• A major pillar of this transformation is fleet modernization. Air India has placed orders for 570 new aircraft, one of the largest aircraft orders in aviation history.

Key Takeaways

• Air India won Best Domestic Airline at Travel + Leisure Awards 2025.
• This is the second consecutive year the airline has received the title.
• The award is based on reader (passenger) votes, not jury selection.
• Air India is undergoing a major transformation with 570 new aircraft orders.
• A USD 400 million retrofit programme is upgrading existing aircraft.
• By end-2026, most of Air India’s fleet will be new or upgraded.

Question

Q. Which airline was named Best Domestic Airline at the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Awards 2025?

(A) IndiGo
(B) Vistara
(C) Air India
(D) Akasa Air