Complete Guide to Student Discounts on International Flights from India

Aditya Shrivastava

If you're studying away from home, taking advantage of student fares on international flights can significantly reduce the cost of trips back home. Not only that, but your international student travel discount can also make it more affordable to explore new destinations during your breaks. Many major airlines offer substantial discounts for current school, college, and university students, often bundled with extra perks like free date changes and additional baggage allowance.

Looking for student baggage allowance benefits?
Check out this full guide to baggage allowance enhancements for international students.

This guide delves into international student flight deals available from major airlines, explaining how to access these valuable discounts. We'll also introduce Wise as an excellent financial tool for anyone studying or travelling abroad, offering low-cost international payments at the mid-market exchange rate.

✈️ Top Airlines Offering Student Discounts from India

How to Get a Student Discount on International Flights

Each airline has its own specific policies for international student flight tickets, but the general requirements are often quite similar. While it's crucial to review the detailed rules for your chosen airline, here's a general overview of what you typically need to qualify for an international flight booking student discount:

  • Age Requirement: You must meet the airline’s specified age criteria, commonly ranging from 12 years and older or 18 years and older.
  • Enrollment Status: You must be enrolled as a full-time student at an eligible educational institution.
  • Proof of Status: You must be able to provide valid proof of your student status, such as a student ID card or official enrollment documents.

We'll provide more specific eligibility details for several popular airlines below.

Top Airlines Offering Student Discounts from India

Wondering which airlines flying from India offer student benefits? Here's a summary of some popular options.

Air India¹ Student Discount on International Flights

As India’s flag carrier, Air India offers an extensive network of flights from airports across India to domestic destinations, Europe, the US, Asia, and beyond. Students flying with Air India can enjoy attractive discounts and perks, potentially saving up to 25% on flight prices. Here’s what you should know:

Eligibility: Students must be 12 years or older and enrolled for at least one year at an eligible institution. For international flights, students must be between 12 and 30 years old.

Flight Types Included: Domestic and international flights.

Discounts Available: Up to 25% off domestic bookings, special discounts on international flights, with enhanced discounts for payments made via UPI.

Other Perks: Enhanced baggage allowance, one free date change, and no convenience fee for domestic bookings made through the Air India app.

How to Apply: Select 'student' as the passenger type when booking your flight. Remember to carry a valid student ID with you when you travel.

Air France² Student Discount on International Flights

If you are an international student from India studying in France (or vice versa), Air France offers discounts on your travel during academic breaks. The exact student fare varies depending on your flight details, but long-haul economy trips are generally eligible for discounts based on availability. Let's look at the details:

Eligibility: Students aged 18 to 29, enrolled full-time at an eligible institution worldwide. For flights to Brazil, students up to 45 years of age may qualify.

Flight Types Included: Economy class on long-haul destinations only for most routes. The trip duration must typically be at least 21 days to qualify for the discount.

Discounts Available: Variable discounts depending on the specific flight selected.

Other Perks: Increased baggage allowance and waived or discounted flight change fees, depending on the destination.

How to Apply: Select 'student' as the passenger type when booking. Ensure you carry a valid student ID during your travel.

Emirates³ Student Discount on International Flights

Emirates boasts a vast global route network, making it a favored airline for students travelling between their university and home country. Students can access exclusive flight discounts and can also join the Emirates Skywards loyalty program to earn miles on their flights. Please note that this promotion may be time-limited, so always check the terms and conditions before booking your student flight.

Eligibility: Students aged 16 to 31 attending an eligible educational institution. (This offer was listed to end in April 2025; please check current availability at the time of booking).

Flight Types Included: Economy and Business Class flights.

Discounts Available: 10% discount on Economy tickets and 5% on Business Class tickets.

Other Perks: Enhanced baggage allowance, which varies based on your destination.

How to Apply: Use the promo code 'STUDENT' when booking your flight. You will need to present a valid student ID when travelling.

Qatar Airways⁴ Student Discount on International Flights

Qatar Airways offers a particularly attractive package for students through its Student Club, which includes accelerated loyalty tier upgrades as a graduation gift. Members can get progressively deeper discounts on flights with repeated travel, reaching up to 20% off select fares, plus benefits like sharing perks with a student companion or family member. Here are the key details:

Eligibility: Sign up for the Student Club to view the specific eligibility rules and requirements.

Flight Types Included: Available on select flights, details of which are provided upon joining the club.

Discounts Available: 10% off your first booking after joining, 15% off after your first completed journey, and 20% off after your second and third completed journeys.

Other Perks: Increased baggage allowance, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, ability to share benefits with a friend or family member, two free date changes, and a Privilege Club tier upgrade upon graduation.

How to Apply: Join the Student Club via the Qatar Airways website and make your bookings through the club platform.

Singapore Airlines⁵ Student Discount on International Flights

Singapore Airlines flies to numerous destinations across Asia and globally. By joining their KrisFlyer membership program and verifying your student status (by uploading up to three school-issued documents confirming current enrollment in an eligible country), you can access 10% discounts on various ticket types. Here's the essential information:

Eligibility: Students enrolled at college or university institutions in a list of eligible countries, including India.

Flight Types Included: Economy Class, Premium Economy Lite, and Standard fare flights. The booking duration must be 12 months or less.

Discounts Available: 10% discount on select flights.

Other Perks: Enhanced baggage allowance and one free date change.

How to Apply: Join the KrisFlyer loyalty scheme and verify your student status by uploading required documents proving you are currently studying in an eligible country.

Maximizing Your Student Flight Discounts

Here are a few important tips to help you make the most of your student discounts when flying home or travelling during your academic breaks:

  • Check Eligibility Carefully: Always review the specific eligibility rules for student tickets, as they may have limited availability or require membership in a special club or loyalty program.
  • Book Early: Booking your flights well in advance generally provides a wider selection of options and potentially better fares, even with a discount.
  • Join Loyalty Programs: Enrolling in the airline's frequent flyer program can unlock additional benefits and rewards, enhancing the value of your student booking.
  • Understand Baggage Rules: Double-check the specific baggage allowance size and weight limits for student fares to avoid unexpected excess baggage fees at the airport.

Start Your International Journey with Wise

If you need to send money home, pay university fees, tuition, or cover living costs abroad, consider using Wise for international money transfers from India. Wise offers global remittances using the fair mid-market exchange rate with low, upfront fees.

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Send payments conveniently and securely using your phone or computer, with fast delivery to bank accounts worldwide. You'll see the full cost of your transfer upfront, with no hidden fees, and can complete the necessary online KYC verification from the comfort of your home.

Wise Account for International Students

As a student with a residential address overseas, you might be eligible for a Wise Account and a linked debit card, which can help you manage your money internationally even more effectively. In supported countries, a Wise Account provides local account details in 40+ currencies and allows you to spend with your Wise card in 150+ countries.

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Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

The exact services, features, and fees available through Wise vary depending on your country of residence. However, no matter where you study, using a Wise Account to manage your international finances can significantly enhance your experience of living and studying abroad, thanks to low fees, straightforward payment methods, and great exchange rates.


Sources:

  1. Air India student benefits
  2. Air France student benefits
  3. Emirates student benefits
  4. Qatar student benefits
  5. Singapore student benefits

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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