Air India has introduced a new serviced called ‘Fly Prior’ for those unpredictable moments during your travels when you realise you need to get to your destination sooner than you had planned. Here’s all you need to know about it.

What Fly Prior is

Air India’s ‘Fly Prior’ is a service that allows you to take an earlier flight on the same day of your original booking. It is a paid-for service and is available subject to seat availability in the same cabin class as one originally makes their booking in. You can choose a flight departing up to 12 hours before your originally booked flight, provided the departure dates of both flights is scheduled on the same date.

Why choose it

Affordable: Fly Prior is a paid-for service available at a reasonable add-on fee, offering great value for money. If you’re flying between any of the major metro cities within India, namely Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune, it costs INR 2,199 (all-inclusive). For flights to or from any other destination within India, the fee is INR 1,499.

Complimentary service for Air India’s Maharaja Club elite members: If you’re a Maharaja Club Platinum or Gold member, then you don’t need to pay for the service. It is complimentary for all Maharaja Club elite members, regardless of the cabin you’re booked in.

Flexibility: Whether you need to make to an appointment that got rescheduled at the last minute or when you simply want to head back home sooner from a trip, this is a great optional service for Air India guests.

Instant confirmation: You receive instant confirmation of your modified booking on the earlier departing flight, with your checked baggage (if any) instantly accepted. It is quick and hassle-free.

How it works

Head to the airport: The ‘Fly Prior’ service is exclusively available for purchase at Air India’s ticketing counters and check-in desks at airports across India. Once you’re at the airport, check with the airline staff if there’s a seat available on the earlier flight you’d like to alternatively take.

Pay the fee: Air India prefers accepting payment through electronic modes of payment such as credit cards, debit cards, and UPI, but cash is also accepted at the airline’s airport ticketing offices.

Fly Prior with ease: If any other ancillary services previously were added to your original booking, such as excess baggage, priority handling, or a cabin upgrade, those will be transferred to the earlier flight. Seat selection and special meal requests are, however, not transferred to your modified booking.

For more information, guests can visit Air India’s official website or inquire at airport counters across India.