Aerides crispa is reported from India and Bangladesh. It is abundant, mainly in the Western Ghats of India. The distribution in Western Ghats is mainly concentrated in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests under partly shaded conditions. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be 2,052,651 km² (far exceeding the upper limit of Vulnerable status under the criterion B1), whereas the area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated to be 432 km²(which falls within the limits for Endangered status under the criterion B2). It is known to exist in 108 locations including several that were surveyed by recent surveys (J.S. Jalal pers. comm. 2023). Most of the locations are within protected areas entertaining legal protection across the Western Ghats and do not appear to be under direct anthropogenic threats at this moment. However, the probability of having the existing threat in these PAs can not be disregarded. Its population is not severely fragmented. However, the quality of habitat is facing threat due to forest fragmentation, rapid developmental activities and human interference. This species bears attractive flowers and can be used for ornamental purposes. In southern Western Ghats (Palni Hills) it has been reported for ornamental and therapeutic purposes by local inhabitants. These are not likely to cause significant population declines in the near future. Under current circumstances, this species is assessed as Least Concern. In situ and ex situ conservation measures are suggested.

Aerides crispa is reported from India (Singh et al. 2019) and Bangladesh (Rahman et al. 2017). In India, it is distributed in Rajasthan (Singh 1983), Maharashtra (Jalal 2018), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Rao 1986), Goa (Jalal 2019), Karnataka (Rao and Sridhar 2007), Kerala (Kumar and Manilal 2004) and Tamil Nadu (Karuppusamy 2022). It is doubtfully present in the Eastern Ghats (Odisha). It is abundant, mainly in the Western Ghats of India (Jalal and Jayanthi 2012). In Bangladesh, it is reported from only two sites.

Aerides crispa is very frequent in the Western Ghats with higher abundance in the northern Western Ghats, particularly Maharashtra state. Jalal and Singh (2015) estimated the population size in Maharashtra is 3,000-4,000 mature individuals. Mature individuals were counted in each survey localities of Maharashtra and Goa states. Kumar et al. (2001) estimated the overall population size in the Western Ghats to be 2,500 mature individuals. The population in Rajasthan is very small and restricted to a single location. The population size estimated in Goa is 200-250 mature individuals (J.S. Jalal pers. obs.). The population size is not estimated in other parts of the Western Ghats. The population size of Bangladesh is also not known but seems to be very small as reported only from two sites. We infer an overall population 4,000-5,000 mature individuals.

This species occurs in open scrublands, shrublands, dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, and in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests under partly shaded conditions. In the higher mountains of southern Western Ghats, it is also found in shola forests. In the northern Western Ghats, it is commonly found growing on medium-sized trees in open canopies (Jalal 2018) in higher plateaus, particularly on Memecylon umbellata Burm.f. It blooms during May and June month with attractive rosy-pink fragrant flowers.

Decline in the quality of habitat due to the expansion of townships (Jalal and Singh 2015), construction of dams, roads, and extension of agriculture and tourism. Monoculture tree plantation of rubber, tea and Acacia species in some of the protected areas also causes its population decline. Over-collecting for its attractive flowers and medicine is also a reason for its decline in the southern Western Ghats (Matthew 1999). There have been documented fire events in Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka to remove forest land. In 2023, the habitat of some epiphytic orchids has been impacted by the clearing of the lush, green forest close to the Amba Ghat area for the new national highway that connects Nagpur and Ratnagiri.

This species bears attractive flowers and can be used for ornamental purposes. In southern Western Ghats (Palni Hills) it has been reported for ornamental and therapeutic purposes by local inhabitants.

All orchid species are included under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Government of India has banned the export for commercial purposes of all wild-taken specimens of species included in Appendices I, II and III, except cultivated varieties of plant species included in Appendices I and II accompanied by a CITES Comparable Certificate issued by the competent authorities of India (CITES Notif. No. 2018/031). This species is also included in the Negative List of Exports (EXIM Policy), 1999 by the Government of India.