If you’ve ever had to frantically rearrange your suitcase at the check-in counter or wear two jackets just to lower the scale’s reading, you know the struggle of the 30kg limit. For many of us living here, flying home isn’t just about travel; it’s about carrying a piece of the UAE back to family.
In a move that’s going to make packing a lot less stressful this month, Air India Express has launched a pretty aggressive “Splash Sale.” The headline? You can now pre-book extra luggage on Air India Express for a practically non-existent fee of AED 2.
This isn’t the usual “10% off” marketing fluff we see often. It’s a flat rate that genuinely undercuts the massive fees you’d usually pay for going over your limit at the airport.
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The Fine Print: What Does AED 2 Get You?
Usually, if you realize you’re overweight on luggage a few days before flying, buying a 5kg or 10kg add-on costs a decent chunk of change—sometimes more than the gifts inside the bag.
With this new promotion, the airline is offering additional check-in baggage slabs of 3kg, 5kg, and 10kg for just two dirhams. It applies to flights originating from the UAE and other Gulf hubs like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
“With the option to purchase an additional 10 kg through this offer, guests can now travel with up to 40 kg check-in baggage, making it easier to carry gifts, essentials, and personal belongings,” the airline stated in its press release.
Essentially, they are bumping the cap up to 40kg for the price of a karak tea.
Dates You Need to Watch
Timing is everything with these UAE to India flight deals. The airline is clearly targeting the post-holiday travel dip—what we in the industry call the “shoulder season”—to fill seats.
Here is what you need to lock in:
- Booking Window: You need to book your tickets (and the baggage) by January 31, 2026.
- Travel Dates: The offer is valid for flights between January 16, 2026, and March 10, 2026.
It’s a short window, but perfect if you’re planning a quick trip before the Ramadan rush or school breaks later in the year.
A Look at Air India Express Baggage Allowance
Standard Air India Express baggage allowance is decent—usually sitting at 30kg for most economy bookings. But anyone who has tried to pack winter clothes for North India or electronics for the family knows that 30kg vanishes fast.
By using this offer to grab the cheapest excess baggage rates the UAE has seen in a while, you effectively turn a budget ticket into a premium allowance ticket.
The deal works across their fare families:
- Xpress Lite: The hand-baggage-only fare (good luck packing light, though).
- Xpress Value & Xpress Flex: The standard options most of us book.
- Xpress Biz: Their business class equivalent.
Why This Hits Home for Expats
I’ve covered aviation in this region for years, and baggage policies are usually where budget airlines make their margins. Seeing an Air India Express AED 2 baggage fee is rare.
For the blue-collar workforce or families travelling with kids, this is huge. It removes the anxiety of the weigh-in scale. You can toss in that extra blanket or the box of dates without doing mental math on the cost.
How to Book It
Don’t expect to walk up to the counter at DXB or SHJ and get this rate. You have to handle it digitally.
- Head to the Air India Express website or open their app.
- Start a new booking for travel between Jan 16 – Mar 10.
- Look for the “Add-ons” or baggage section.
- You should see the discounted slabs. Select the one you need.
If you are looking for UAE-India flights discounted price options, keep in mind that while the ticket price might fluctuate, this baggage fee is fixed at that rock-bottom rate.
*If you have travel plans in the next two months, check your dates. Paying AED 2 now is a lot better than paying AED 50 per kilo at the airport later.
