Vistara-Air India merger: How will flyers be impacted?

Passengers with existing Vistara bookings can expect business as usual until November 11

The merger between Vistara and Air India is approaching its final stages, with Vistara set to cease operations on November 11. This comes after the Indian government approved Singapore Airlines' foreign direct investment of Rs 2,058.5 crore in the Air India Group.

Vistara's merger into Air India represents a strategic consolidation within the Tata Group's aviation portfolio. Vistara, originally established as a joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, will now be integrated with Air India, another Tata-owned carrier.

How will the merger impact Vistara customers?

Starting 3rd September 2024, customers will, progressively, no longer be able to make bookings with Vistara for travel on or after 12th November 2024, Vistara said in an official release. All Vistara aircraft thereafter will be operated by Air India and bookings will be redirected to Air India’s website.

Until November 11, 2024, Vistara will maintain its normal operations. Passengers can continue to book and fly with Vistara as usual during this transition period.

What happens to the tickets that have already been booked?

Passengers with existing Vistara bookings can expect business as usual until November 11. For passengers holding Vistara reservations beyond November 11, a seamless transition is planned. Their bookings will be automatically transferred to equivalent Air India flights.

The updated information over the booking will be shared individually with the customer by the airline.

"All customers already booked on Vistara flights after 12th November will automatically have their reservations converted to Air India flight numbers; this will occur in phases during September, and customers will be individually informed when this occurs," Air India chief Campbell Wilson has said.

What happens to Club Vistara, the airline's loyalty programme?

Following the full integration of Vistara and Air India, their respective loyalty programs will also merge. Club Vistara members will see their accounts consolidated into Air India's Flying Returns program. However, members can choose to opt-out of this transfer.

Customers with memberships in both Club Vistara and Flying Returns have the option to link their accounts. For those who don't manually connect their accounts before the merger, an automatic consolidation will occur provided the key details are common in both the accounts.

A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) has also been prepared for passengers to help them with more information amid the merger process.

Vistara-Air India merger

The merger, announced in November 2022, will see Singapore Airlines snapping up a 25.1 per cent stake in the Air India Group, and will create one of the world's largest airline groups.

Loss-making Vistara established a significant presence in the Indian aviation market. With a fleet of 70 aircraft serving 50 destinations, the airline commanded a 10 per cent share of the domestic market as of July.

"The joint team looks forward to offering our guests an expanded network, additional flight options, an enhanced frequent flyer program and the best of both antecedent airlines and are grateful for the support of our loyal customers through this next phase of building a world class, world scale, global airline with an Indian heart," said Wilson.