Aviation

How to redeem Air India ‘Flying Returns’ Points and Type of Membership

Frequent flyers can earn and redeem points for rewards like free flights, class upgrades, lounge access, excess luggage allowance, and more through the loyalty programme “Flying Returns” offered by Air India.

By taking flights with Air India or one of its affiliates, staying at one of its hotels, renting a car, paying with a credit card, or making purchases from one of its programme partners, members can accrue points.

There are many membership tiers based on the quantity of points accumulated, and members can advance to higher tiers to take advantage of greater benefits and privileges.

On Star Alliance flights

Simply fly on a Star Alliance member airline in a ticket class that is qualified for point accrual to earn Flying Returns points. The travel class and booking class of the operating carrier determine the amount of point accrual eligibility.

Claim Flying Returns Points

For a recent flight, did you forget to update your Flying Returns points? You can keep track of your Flying Returns points with the Retro Claim tool. Even if you haven’t joined the loyalty programme yet, you can use this option.

What you need to do:

To submit the information about your trip that hasn’t yet been entered into your Flying Returns account, log in and select the “Retro Claim” option. the image of your boarding pass and ticket. The points will be added to your account if all the necessary information is provided.

Otherwise, you can use the option to rectify the error and resubmit or forward the claim.

A copy of the ticket and boarding pass can also be uploaded on the website. Learn More

To claim missing points or Retro credit on Star member airlines, contact our support hub.

Claim submissions must be made 180 days (six months) after travel for Star Alliance or codeshared flights, and 365 days (12 months) after travel for Air India flights.
Seven days following the trip date, points can be retroactively credited.
As you move up the membership tiers, the advantages of membership grow. Everything is increased with increased travel, including baggage allowances and upgrades.

Airlines offer 4 types of membership.

1 Base Tier: Normal Membership.

Silver Edge Club (15% Bonus flying returns can carry 10KG luggage and will get dedicated checks, priority delivery baggage)

Golden Edge Club (25% Bonus flying returns can carry 20KG luggage and will get a dedicated check, priority delivery baggage, Air India lounge access +1 Guest,

The Maharaja Club (30% Bonus flying returns can carry 20KG luggage and will get a dedicated check, priority delivery baggage, Air India lounge access +1 Guest.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.