Etihad Marks India Independence Day with 30% Fare Cuts to US and Europe

ABU DHABI— Etihad Airways (EY), the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is marking India’s Independence Day with a limited-time discount campaign.

Operating from its hub at Zayed International Airport (AUH), the carrier is offering passengers in India 30% off fares to destinations across the United States and Europe.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Etihad Fare Cuts to the US and Europe

Travellers departing from major Indian cities can book reduced Economy Class tickets to cities such as Chicago (ORD), Toronto (YYZ), Washington DC (IAD), Barcelona (BCN), and Dublin (DUB).

Additional destinations include Brussels (BRU), Prague (PRG), Warsaw (WAW), Sochi (AER), New York (JFK), Rome (FCO), and several others. The offer is valid for bookings until August 15, with travel dates from September 2025 to March 2026.

The promotion covers a wide range of popular long-haul routes. Sample fares in Economy Class include Chicago at AED 3,273, Toronto at AED 3,599, Washington DC at AED 3,149, Barcelona at AED 2,036, and Dublin at AED 2,149. Other eligible destinations include Atlanta (ATL), Madrid (MAD), Boston (BOS), Paris (CDG), Munich (MUC), and Frankfurt (FRA).

Business Class and Economy Class travellers also benefited from Etihad’s earlier summer campaign, which offered 25% off fares on select routes. This Independence Day offer, however, extends the scope to more cities and a longer travel window, giving passengers greater flexibility in planning.

The fare reductions come amid heightened competition among UAE, regional, and Indian carriers as the 2025 summer travel season tapers off. Multiple airlines have rolled out aggressive pricing strategies to attract late-season bookings and lock in passengers for the upcoming winter travel period.

Photo: Etihad

Fleet Developments

Etihad Airways recently launched commercial operations of its Airbus A321LR, a long-range single-aisle aircraft designed to deliver the airline’s premium cabin standards on shorter and medium-haul routes.

The inaugural flight, EY414, departed Zayed International Airport (AUH) for Phuket (HKT) last week, marking a milestone in the carrier’s fleet modernisation strategy. The A321LR offers cabin comfort and service levels consistent with Etihad’s award-winning widebody aircraft.

Other Indian Carriers’ Discounts

Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal

Namaste World Promotional Sale

Air India (AI) has announced its ‘Namaste World’ promotional sale, offering discounted all-inclusive fares across its domestic and international network. Domestic one-way fares start at INR 1,499, while round-trip international fares begin at INR 12,310.

The sale runs until 23:59 hrs on 15 August 2025, with travel valid through 31 March 2026. Bookings are open not only in India but also at Air India’s international sales points, with fares available in the respective local currencies.

Special Online Launch and Booking Channels

On 10 August 2025, the ‘Namaste World’ sale was available exclusively on Air India’s website and mobile app, allowing early access to promotional fares. From the next day, tickets became available across multiple channels, including airport ticketing offices, the customer contact centre, authorised travel agents, and the airline’s official platforms.

Travellers booking directly via Air India’s website or mobile app enjoy zero convenience fees during the sale period. They can also save up to INR 1,000 per passenger using promo code FLYAI, and receive additional discounts on Visa card payments under the promo code VISAFLY.

Visa Card Discounts

Additional Ancillary Service Offers

Air India is also offering up to 60% off on prepaid baggage and up to 15% off on seat selection, including preferred and extra legroom seats. These discounts apply across both direct and indirect booking channels, allowing travellers to personalise their journeys for less.

Sample All-Inclusive Round-Trip International Fares (Ex-India)

• Delhi (DEL) – London Heathrow (LHR): INR 44,500 (Economy), INR 95,000 (Premium Economy), INR 1,43,000 (Business)
• Mumbai (BOM) – Toronto (YYZ): INR 62,199 (Economy), NA (Premium Economy), INR 1,77,399 (Business)
• Bengaluru (BLR) – New York (JFK): INR 49,635 (Economy), INR 1,05,666 (Premium Economy), INR 1,90,666 (Business)
• Chennai (MAA) – Sydney (SYD): INR 51,317 (Economy), NA (Premium Economy), INR 1,63,291 (Business)
• Kochi (COK) – Dubai (DXB): INR 18,060 (Economy), INR 22,300 (Premium Economy), INR 58,650 (Business)

Sample All-Inclusive Round-Trip International Fares (Into India)

• London Heathrow (LHR) – Delhi (DEL): GBP 440 (Economy), GBP 685 (Premium Economy), GBP 1,530 (Business)
• Frankfurt (FRA) – Mumbai (BOM): EUR 423 (Economy), EUR 708 (Premium Economy), EUR 1,350 (Business)
• New York (JFK) – Bengaluru (BLR): USD 541 (Economy), USD 1,122 (Premium Economy), USD 2,847 (Business)
• Dubai (DXB) – Kochi (COK): AED 730 (Economy), AED 810 (Premium Economy), AED 2,350 (Business)
• Singapore (SIN) – Chennai (MAA): SGD 212 (Economy), SGD 358 (Premium Economy), SGD 716 (Business)

The sale covers select domestic and international routes. Fares may vary slightly depending on the city, exchange rates, and applicable taxes. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal

Freedom Sale

Air India Express (IX) has launched its Freedom Sale to mark India’s 79th Independence Day, offering 5 million seats at discounted fares. Domestic flights from major hubs like Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) start at ₹1,279, while international flights from cities such as Kochi (COK) and Trivandrum (TRV) begin at ₹4,279.

The sale opens exclusively on airindiaexpress.com and the Air India Express mobile app on 10 August 2025, and will be available across all major booking channels from 11–15 August 2025. Travel is valid from 19 August 2025 to 31 March 2026, covering key festive seasons including Onam, Durga Puja, Diwali, and Christmas.

Multiple Fare Options to Suit Every Traveller

Air India Express offers three main fare categories. The Xpress Lite option, available exclusively on its website, comes with zero check-in baggage and the lowest fares. Xpress Value includes standard check-in baggage and starts at ₹1,379 for domestic and ₹4,479 for international flights. For a premium experience, Xpress Biz offers a business-class style cabin with up to 58 inches of seat pitch, available on over 40 newly inducted aircraft.

Loyalty members benefit from 25% off Xpress Biz fares, 20% discounts on extra baggage, hot ‘Gourmair’ meals, priority services, and upgrades. Special discounted fares are also available for students, senior citizens, armed forces personnel, and their dependents.

Expanding Network and Fleet

With a fleet of 116 aircraft and over 500 daily flights, Air India Express connects 38 domestic and 17 international destinations. The network spans metros, tier-2 cities, and emerging hubs, strengthening India’s domestic connectivity while linking key global destinations.

Through its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, the airline showcases traditional textile patterns like Bandhani, Ajrakh, Patola, Warli, Aipan, and Kalamkari on aircraft tails, celebrating Indian heritage with every flight.

Air India Express plays a key role on India–Middle East routes, serving cities with large Indian expatriate communities. Passengers benefit from comfortable seating, freshly prepared meals, and fare options designed for both budget and premium travellers.

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