Vistara introduces 'no frills' fares for passengers looking for cheap fares

NEW DELHI: Vistara today announced unbundling of services on its flight with the launch of ‘Vistara Freedom Fares’ that allows passengers to book fares without frills, including complimentary meal onboard.
“Effective August 2, 2018, travellers will have the freedom to choose from thoughtfully designed bundles of features and services at different price points for their preferred flight and class of service or select them à-la-carte,” said the airline in a release.

As part of unbundling, Vistara introduced ‘Lite’ fares that will be available in Economy Class only, and for customers seeking simply the lowest fares that do not include complimentary meals. “However a buy-on-board option of snacks and drinks will be available. While ‘Economy Lite’ customers will continue to earn Club Vistara points, they will not earn elite-qualification ‘tier points’. ‘Economy Lite’ fares are not upgradeable, non-changeable and non-refundable (though taxes are always fully refundable). The free checked baggage allowance remains at 15kg, but is restricted to one piece of checked baggage only,” the release added.

This move by Vistara, which was launched as a full service carrier, is likely to help it boost ancillary revenues in an aviation market, where airlines are not able to charge fares in commensurate with the cost due to high capacity.

“Consumers today have a vast range of options and the one-size-fits-all approach is increasingly becoming redundant. It is the age of flexibility; of deciding for yourself; of doing things at your own terms. We observed this consumer behaviour over a period of time and are delighted to bring ‘Vistara Freedom Fares’ to the discerning travellers, while also further enhancing our product and service portfolio with ‘Vistara World’,” airline CEO Leslie Thng was quoted in the release.

Additionally, the airline announced the introduction of ‘Vistara World’, its free in-flight entertainment system with video and audio content of more than 70 hours streamed wirelessly onto personal handheld devices and laptops.

‘Vistara World’ will be rolled out fleet-wide in August 2018, subject to regulatory approvals, the airline said.

“Together with the introduction of wireless streaming of in-flight entertainment content, the attractive bundled features will provide more choices and value to customers and also help us enhance overall customer satisfaction and experience,” Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, Vistara was quoted in the release.