Air India has launched EasyRoam, a new international travel connectivity service that will allow passengers to access mobile data and voice services while traveling overseas. Developed in partnership with Tata Communications, the service is available as both a physical SIM card and an eSIM, giving international travelers an alternative to buying a local SIM after landing or relying solely on their domestic operator’s roaming service.
The service is initially available across 30 countries spanning North America, Europe, including the UK, Australia, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The EasyRoam SIM itself is being offered free during the initial rollout, while customers will need to pay for the roaming plan they select. Plans currently start at ₹241, excluding taxes, with pricing depending on the destination and package.
What Is Air India EasyRoam?
EasyRoam is an Air India-branded travel SIM designed specifically for passengers traveling internationally. The service has been developed with Tata Communications, which brings its global telecommunications network and relationships with more than 600 mobile network operators to the offering.
Travelers can purchase EasyRoam through a dedicated Air India-branded webpage. They can choose between a traditional physical SIM and an eSIM, depending on their smartphone and travel requirements.
The service is designed to make connectivity available soon after passengers arrive at their destination, reducing the need to search for a local telecom operator or purchase a SIM at an airport.
EasyRoam at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Service | Air India EasyRoam |
| Partner | Tata Communications |
| SIM options | Physical SIM and eSIM |
| Initial coverage | 30 countries |
| Starting plan price | ₹241, excluding taxes |
| SIM cost initially | Free |
| Connectivity | Data, or voice + data |
| Extra data | Up to 1GB on eligible data plans |
| Planned coverage | Up to 190 countries |
| Purchase | Air India website |
Roaming Plans Start at ₹241
The initial EasyRoam roaming packs start at ₹241, excluding taxes. The actual price varies according to the destination and plan selected by the traveler.
Customers can select destination-specific packages or worldwide travel plans. They can also choose between data-only packages and plans that combine voice and data.
Air India and Tata Communications are also offering up to 1GB of additional complimentary data to customers purchasing a data plan. The extra-data offer applies across the covered countries except the Maldives and Mauritius.
The combination of different plan types is intended to make the service useful for both short-term tourists and travelers who need more regular connectivity for business or extended international trips.
Physical SIM and eSIM Give Travelers More Choice
One of the main features of EasyRoam is the availability of both physical SIM and eSIM options.
A physical SIM can be useful for travelers whose phones do not support eSIM technology. An eSIM, meanwhile, can be activated digitally on compatible devices without requiring the user to insert a separate card.
This can be particularly convenient for travelers who want to retain their existing domestic SIM while using another mobile connection for international data.
Air India says customers can also retain their existing number for up to one year at a nominal cost when using the service.
Service Initially Covers 30 Countries
EasyRoam’s initial coverage includes destinations across several major international travel markets.
The 30-country rollout covers:
- North America
- Europe, including the UK
- Australia
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East
Air India and Tata Communications plan to progressively expand the service’s geographical coverage to as many as 190 countries.
The planned expansion could make EasyRoam more relevant to Air India’s growing international passenger base, particularly as the airline expands its global network.
Designed to Reduce Roaming Hassles
International mobile connectivity can create several problems for travelers. Buying a local SIM requires finding a retailer, choosing a plan and sometimes dealing with unfamiliar registration procedures.
Traditional international roaming can also result in unexpectedly high bills if customers do not understand the applicable rates or exceed their data allowance.
EasyRoam is designed to address some of these issues by allowing passengers to arrange connectivity before departure. The service also provides notifications and alerts to help users monitor their consumption and manage roaming costs.
For travelers arriving late at night, transferring through multiple airports or heading directly to a hotel or business meeting, having connectivity available immediately can be particularly useful for maps, ride-hailing, messaging, banking applications and travel information.
Tata Communications Provides the Network Infrastructure
The partnership brings together Air India’s travel customer base and Tata Communications’ telecommunications infrastructure.
Tata Communications says it works with more than 600 mobile network operators globally. That network of partnerships is intended to help EasyRoam provide connectivity across different countries without requiring travelers to independently negotiate with local operators.
For Air India, the partnership also creates an opportunity to add a connectivity product to its broader travel ecosystem.
Rather than limiting its customer relationship to the flight itself, the airline can provide additional services before and during an international journey.
EasyRoam Will Eventually Come to the Air India App
EasyRoam is currently available for purchase through the Air India website. The service is expected to subsequently become available through the airline’s mobile application.
Integration into the app could make the service more closely connected with the flight-booking process. Travelers could potentially arrange their connectivity while managing other parts of their trip.
This reflects a broader shift among airlines toward offering digital and ancillary services beyond the core flight ticket.
Why the Move Matters for Air India
The EasyRoam launch is relatively small compared with Air India’s aircraft and network expansion plans, but it illustrates how airlines are increasingly looking at ancillary services as part of the overall travel experience.
Connectivity has become an essential part of international travel. Passengers increasingly rely on smartphones for boarding information, navigation, hotel reservations, payments, communication and work.
By offering connectivity directly to passengers, Air India can potentially improve customer convenience while creating another ancillary revenue opportunity through roaming packages.
The initiative also strengthens the relationship between two Tata Group companies. Air India contributes the airline’s international customer base, while Tata Communications contributes its global communications infrastructure.
The Bigger Picture
EasyRoam arrives as eSIM adoption is making international connectivity easier for smartphone users. Instead of physically replacing a SIM card, compatible devices can support an additional mobile profile that can be activated digitally.
For travelers, this means the traditional process of arriving at a foreign airport and searching for a local SIM is gradually becoming less necessary. Airlines, telecom companies and travel platforms can increasingly integrate connectivity directly into the travel-booking experience.
The competition, however, will extend beyond traditional telecom operators. Global travel eSIM providers, local carriers and international roaming services already offer travelers multiple options. EasyRoam’s success will therefore depend on pricing, country coverage, network quality and how simple the activation process is.
Looking Ahead
Air India’s initial 30-country rollout gives the airline an opportunity to test demand for travel connectivity before expanding the service. The planned expansion toward up to 190 countries could significantly broaden its usefulness if coverage and pricing remain competitive.
The next important step will be deeper integration with Air India’s digital platforms. If EasyRoam becomes available directly through the airline’s mobile app and booking journey, international passengers could arrange flights, travel services and mobile connectivity within the same ecosystem, making connectivity another integrated part of the overseas travel experience.
Get the day’s top stories in your inbox
One concise email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
