Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has introduced a new 'Fare Lock' feature, allowing passengers to lock in their fares for 48 hours with a nominal fee. This initiative aims to provide greater flexibility and ease for travelers in planning their journeys.

The new feature enables passengers to secure a chosen fare for two days while they finalize their travel plans. This helps avoid unexpected fare changes and ensures availability for their preferred flights. The feature applies to flights booked at least 10 days in advance.

To use 'Fare Lock,' customers need to select their preferred flight options, choose the 'Fare Lock' option during the booking process, and pay a non-refundable fee. They can later confirm their bookings at the locked fare through the 'Manage Booking' option on the airline's website or mobile app.

Fare Lock Fees (Inclusive of Taxes):

Domestic India Flights:

Departing India: INR 500
Arriving in India: INR 500
Short-Haul International Flights:

Departing India: INR 850
Arriving in India: USD 10
Long-Haul International Flights:

Departing India: INR 1500
Arriving in India: USD 18

This feature comes amidst other challenges for Air India. Recently, the Aviation Ministry issued a show cause notice to the airline after a 20-hour delay on a Delhi-San Francisco flight. Passengers were left inside the aircraft without air conditioning in extreme heat, leading to several passengers fainting and others requesting to disembark.

Currently, Air India operates 51 weekly flights to North America, an increase from 33 before the airline's privatization.

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