In a major relief for air travellers, India’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed airlines to offer at least 60% of seats on every flight without any extra charge.
The new rule will come into effect from April 20 and is expected to significantly reduce additional costs for passengers who currently pay high fees for seat selection.
Big Relief for Passengers
Under the new guidelines, a majority of seats on every flight must now be available for free during ticket booking.
Currently, airlines typically allow only around 20% of seats to be selected without extra charges. For the remaining seats, passengers often pay anywhere between ₹200 to over ₹2,000 depending on the seat type, such as front-row or extra legroom options.
With this move, passengers will have more flexibility and fewer hidden costs while booking tickets.
Transparent Seat Policy Mandatory
The DGCA has also instructed airlines to implement a clear and transparent seat allocation system.
Passengers must be informed properly about:
- Which seats are free
- What conditions apply
- Any additional charges
Airlines have been told to clearly display all details on their websites and booking platforms to avoid confusion and complaints.
Families to Sit Together
Focusing on passenger convenience, the regulator has also advised airlines to ensure that travellers under the same booking (PNR) are seated together as much as possible.
This is expected to benefit families and groups who often face issues getting seats together unless they pay extra.
Airlines Oppose the Move
However, the decision has not gone down well with airlines. Major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have raised concerns.
They argue that restricting paid seat selection could impact their revenue, forcing them to increase ticket prices to offset the losses.
The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has also written to the civil aviation ministry seeking a review of the decision.
Debate Over Extra Charges
The move comes amid rising complaints from passengers over high add-on charges for services like seat selection, baggage, and priority boarding.
