Air India vs. Vistara: Which Tata Airline is Best in 2025?
Under the vast umbrella of the Tata Group, two of India’s premier full-service airlines are locked in a battle for the skies. On one side, we have Air India, the historic Maharaja, now on a monumental path to rediscovery and modernization. On the other, Vistara, the challenger that has consistently set the benchmark for premium air travel in India since its inception.
With both now under the same ownership and a much-discussed merger on the horizon, the question for travelers in September 2025 is more relevant than ever: Which airline truly deserves your money today?
In this ultimate head-to-head comparison, we break down everything that matters—from the comfort of your economy seat to the luxury of business class—to help you decide which airline to choose for your next flight.
At a Glance: Who Wins in 2025?
For those in a hurry, here’s the quick verdict:
| Feature | Air India | Vistara | Winner |
| Best For | International reach & Star Alliance benefits | Consistent premium domestic experience | (Depends on need) |
| Route Network | Unmatched international, wide domestic | Strong domestic metro, growing international | Air India |
| Economy Experience | Improving, but inconsistent across fleet | Consistently high-quality food & service | Vistara |
| Business Class | Excellent on new planes, dated on older ones | Modern, consistent, and highly rated | Vistara |
| Loyalty Program | Flying Returns (Star Alliance) | Club Vistara | Air India |
| Value for Money | Often more competitive on price | A premium price for a premium product | (Depends on deal) |
Round 1: Route Network & Connectivity
An airline is only as good as the places it can take you. Here, the two carriers have different philosophies.
Air India’s Strength: With decades of history, Air India is the undisputed champion of connectivity. It boasts an unmatched network of direct long-haul flights from India to key destinations in North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Domestically, its reach extends deep into numerous tier-2 and tier-3 cities, making it a truly pan-India carrier.
Vistara’s Strategy: Vistara has a more strategic focus, excelling in high-frequency flights between India’s major metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Its international network is growing steadily and includes popular destinations like London, Dubai, Bali, and Singapore, but it cannot yet match the sheer scale of Air India.
🏆 Winner: Air India. For its vast global and domestic network, Air India takes this round. If you need to fly direct to San Francisco or connect to a smaller Indian city, the Maharaja is often your only full-service option.
Round 2: The Economy Class Experience
This is where most of us fly, and where the small details make a big difference.
Seat Comfort & Cabin: Vistara is known for its clean, modern, and remarkably consistent cabins across its fleet of Airbus A320/A321 and Boeing 787 aircraft. You know you’re getting a well-maintained seat with decent legroom.
Air India, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. If you’re lucky enough to be on their brand-new A350 or a recently refurbished Boeing 777, the experience is world-class. However, a significant portion of their older fleet still features dated interiors, worn-out seats, and unreliable in-flight entertainment systems.
Food & Service: This is where Vistara shines. It remains one of the few domestic airlines globally to serve complimentary, hot meals in economy class, and they are consistently praised for their quality. The cabin crew is widely regarded as professional, polished, and attentive.
Air India has made massive improvements in this area. The catering has been upgraded, and the service is far warmer than in years past. However, Vistara still holds the edge in terms of consistency and the overall dining experience.
🏆 Winner: Vistara. When you book an economy ticket on Vistara, you know exactly what you’re getting: a clean cabin, professional service, and a good meal. That reliability makes it the winner here.
Round 3: The Business Class Battle
For travelers flying up front, this is a fierce competition between two excellent products.
The Seat & Cabin: Vistara offers a reliably excellent Business Class. Its domestic fleet features comfortable and spacious recliner seats, while its Boeing 787 Dreamliners boast modern, lie-flat seats that are perfect for international journeys.
Air India’s new A350 business class is a true game-changer, with private suites that rival some of the best in the world. However, the experience across the rest of the fleet is inconsistent. Their older aircraft feature dated, angled lie-flat seats that are simply not competitive in 2025.
Lounge & Ground Experience: Both airlines offer dedicated check-in counters and priority services. The lounge experience is comparable, especially in major hubs like Delhi, where both have invested in high-quality facilities.
🏆 Winner: Vistara. While Air India’s best product is phenomenal, Vistara wins on consistency. You are guaranteed a modern and premium business-class experience on any Vistara flight, which isn’t yet the case for Air India.
Round 4: Loyalty Programs
For frequent flyers, the value of points and perks can be the ultimate deciding factor.
Vistara (Club Vistara): A solid and well-regarded loyalty program with straightforward earning and burning. It has valuable partnerships with several international airlines.
Air India (Flying Returns): Air India’s trump card is its membership in the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance. This means you can earn and redeem your miles on a global network of premier airlines like Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and United. It opens up a world of travel possibilities that a standalone program cannot match.
🏆 Winner: Air India. For any frequent international flyer, the value and flexibility of the Star Alliance network are simply unbeatable. This is a clear and decisive win.
The Final Verdict: Who Should You Choose?
So, after all that, which Tata airline should you book?
✈️ Fly Vistara if…
- You are flying domestically between major cities and want a guaranteed premium experience.
- Consistency in service, food, and cabin quality is your top priority.
- You are flying Business Class and want a reliably modern and comfortable seat.
- You appreciate a polished and highly professional service standard.
✈️ Fly Air India if…
- You are flying to a long-haul international destination, especially in North America or Europe.
- You are a Star Alliance member and want to earn or redeem miles.
- You can confirm you are flying on one of their new A350s or refurbished 777s.
- You are looking for a potentially lower fare on a full-service carrier.
Conclusion: A New Era for Indian Aviation
The competition between Air India and Vistara is fantastic news for the Indian traveler. It’s pushing both airlines to elevate their standards. While Vistara currently holds the edge in product consistency, Air India’s transformation is rapidly closing the gap. As the two airlines move closer to an eventual merger, we can expect to see a truly world-class carrier emerge, combining Air India’s incredible network with Vistara’s legendary service.
FAQs
As of September 2025, are Air India and Vistara the same company?
Yes, both Air India and Vistara are owned by the Tata Group. The process of merging Vistara into Air India is currently underway. The goal is to create a single, larger full-service airline under the Air India brand. However, for now, they continue to operate as two separate airlines with distinct aircraft, crew, service standards, and loyalty programs. The advice in this article reflects the current, separate operational status.
Which airline is better for traveling with children and family?
Both are full-service carriers and are good options for family travel. However, we would give a slight edge to Vistara. Their consistency in service and the calm, professional demeanor of their cabin crew can make a significant difference in reducing the stress of flying with children. The reliability of their in-flight entertainment and the quality of their meals also contribute to a smoother journey for the whole family.
For a simple domestic flight like Delhi to Mumbai, who should I choose?
For this popular route, your choice depends on your priority:
- Choose Vistara if your priority is a guaranteed high-quality experience. You’ll get a modern cabin, excellent service, and a complimentary meal, and you’re willing to potentially pay a small premium for that consistency.
- Choose Air India if you find a significantly better fare, or if you are a Star Alliance member looking to earn miles. The experience is rapidly improving, but check the aircraft type, as the quality can still vary more than on Vistara.
What has been your experience flying with Air India and Vistara recently? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
