Compare / AI vs 6E
Air India vs IndiGo
Two very different offers for the same job. Here is what actually separates Air India and IndiGo for cabin crew — pay, roster, rules and who each one suits.
Air India
AI · Delhi
6.4
crew score
IndiGo
6E · Gurugram / Delhi NCR
6.1
crew score
Choose Air India if…
- ✓Starting pay is higher — about 53% more per month
- ✓Long-haul network with proper layovers instead of turnarounds
Choose IndiGo if…
- ✓Short-haul flying means you sleep at home most nights
- ✓Bigger network: ~130 destinations vs ~100
Side by side
| Air India | IndiGo | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry pay / month | $650-$800 | $400-$550 |
| Senior pay / month | $950-$1,500 | $650-$1,200 |
| Tax-free | No | No |
| Housing | Not provided | Not provided |
| Base | Delhi | Gurugram / Delhi NCR |
| Type | Full-service | Low-cost |
| Fleet | ~250 | ~430 |
| Destinations | ~100 | ~130 |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | None |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Reach / height | 155 cm | 155 cm |
| Visible tattoos | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Language beyond English | Hindi | Hindi |
Crew scores compared
Air India
IndiGo
Apply
Air India
Large continuous recruitment across Indian metros through 2026 for both fresher and experienced crew as new wide-bodies arrive; separate tracks for Air India and Air India Express.
IndiGo
Recruitment drives run in multiple Indian cities most months, with schedules published on the careers site and official social media; freshers and experienced crew have separate tracks.
Still torn? Let the data decide.
Tax-free money or home every night? Fast promotion or a calm roster? Seven questions, ranked against pay, lifestyle, career and hiring data.
Frequently asked questions
Does Air India or IndiGo pay cabin crew more?
Air India pays more at entry level: about $650-$800 a month against $400-$550. Remember to weigh tax status and housing before comparing headline figures.
Which is easier to get into, Air India or IndiGo?
Air India is actively hiring (Large continuous recruitment across Indian metros through 2026 for both fresher and experienced crew as new wide-bodies arrive; separate tracks for Air India and Air India Express.) while IndiGo is actively hiring (Recruitment drives run in multiple Indian cities most months, with schedules published on the careers site and official social media; freshers and experienced crew have separate tracks.) Requirements differ too — check both requirement pages before deciding where to spend your effort.
Air India or IndiGo — which is better for a first cabin crew job?
Air India scores higher overall in our index (6.4 vs 6.1), but "better" depends on what you want: money, roster, promotion speed or where you live. The reasons listed above split it by priority.