Air India vs Air Canada — Which is Better for International Routes from Canada to India?
When booking a long-haul flight from Canada to India, especially if you’re on the lookout for cheap flights to India from Canada or cheap flights from Canada to India, it’s worth comparing two major airlines: Air India and Air Canada. Each has its strengths and trade-offs — and depending on your priorities (cost, comfort, convenience), one may suit you better than the other.
✈️ Fleet & Route Options
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Air Canada: Operates a wide variety of aircraft for Canada–India routes — including Boeing 777s, 787 Dreamliners, and Airbus wide-bodies. This offers passengers modern cabins and multiple route options.
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Air India: Uses a mixed fleet — from older jets to newer ones like A350s and updated 787s. Depending on the aircraft on a given day, the travel experience may vary.
Because of this variety, if you’re searching for cheap flights to India from Vancouver Canada or other Canadian cities, both airlines may offer deals — but the actual aircraft on your flight can affect comfort and amenities.
💺 Comfort, Classes & On-board Experience
Economy
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Air Canada’s economy cabins tend to have better-maintained interiors and modern amenities (AVOD, updated aircraft).
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Air India offers functional economy seating; newer aircraft have improved comfort, but older planes can feel dated.
Premium Economy / Business
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Air Canada’s Premium Economy and Business (on e.g. 777-300ER) get good reviews for legroom, flat-bed seats (in business), and overall reliability.
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Air India also offers upgraded cabins on its newer wide-bodies (A350, 787-9), including 1-2-1 seat layout in business in some aircraft. But there is inconsistency: older planes still operate with older layouts (e.g. 2-3-2), so service quality may vary.
Food & Service
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Air Canada tends to offer more consistent service quality, with generally well-maintained aircraft and predictable in-flight entertainment.
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Air India shines for passengers seeking authentic Indian meals and traditional service — a plus if you prefer Indian cuisine on long-haul flights. That said, on older jets, service and comfort may not always meet expectations.
💵 Pricing, Value & Loyalty Perks
If you’re hunting cheap flights from Canada to India (especially during sale periods), both airlines offer seasonal discounts.
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Air India sometimes gives competitive pricing especially on India-origin routes — which can work well for travelers posting out of India.
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Air Canada uses dynamic pricing more oriented to North American supply and demand; for travellers departing Canada, this can sometimes mean higher prices — but also better consistency in amenities and refund processes.
For frequent flyers:
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Air Canada’s loyalty program (Aeroplan) tends to have more structured benefits.
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Air India (post-merger with other domestic carriers) targets value travellers seeking full-service flights at lower cost.
✅ So — Who Should You Fly With?
| Your priority | Recommended Airline |
|---|---|
| Best value & lowest fares (sometimes) | Air India |
| Modern aircraft, consistent service, reliability | Air Canada |
| Indian meals and traditional service | Air India |
| Predictable comfort in all classes | Air Canada |
| Balanced economy-to-premium ratio | Either — depending on aircraft and offers |
✨ Final Thoughts: Tailor Your Choice
If your main goal is to find cheap flights to India from Canada, especially from cities like Vancouver, and you don’t mind some variability in comfort — Air India could offer good deals. On the other hand, if you value modern cabins, reliability, and a consistent in-flight experience (especially on long-haul), Air Canada can be worth the extra price.
Ultimately — there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Evaluate individual flights (aircraft type, timings, price) rather than just the airline name. This way, you maximize value while keeping comfort in check.

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