The Maharaja is back

Program of the Year — Airlines, Middle East & Asia Pacific · Air India Maharaja Club

Here’s one for the Freddie history books.

Air India Maharaja Club is the 2026 Airline Program of the Year in Middle East & Asia Pacific.

Even the name tells part of the story.

For decades Air India’s frequent flyer program was known as Flying Returns.

As part of the airline’s enormous transformation under Tata, the loyalty program became Maharaja Club—a nod to one of aviation’s most recognizable characters.

Old mascot.

Very new airline.

Air India is attempting one of the most ambitious transformations in global aviation: new aircraft, new cabins, new technology, a rebuilt customer experience and the integration of Vistara.

The loyalty program has to stitch much of that together.

In 2025, Maharaja Club won the Freddie for Up and Coming Program.

One year later?

Program of the Year.

That’s almost a textbook Freddie progression.

TRIVIA: Up and Coming in 2025. Program of the Year in 2026.

Apparently the Maharaja doesn’t waste time.

Welcome back, Your Highness.