Govt mandates 60% free seats on flights, asks airlines to seat families together

In a major relief for air travellers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines to ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight are provided free of cost, aiming to curb hidden charges and improve passenger convenience. The move comes amid growing complaints over airlines charging extra for seat selection, particularly for preferred seats such as window and aisle.

The new directive, issued through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, also mandates that passengers travelling under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats. This addresses a long-standing concern among families and group travellers who often struggle to secure seats together without paying additional charges.

The ministry said the measures are intended to bring greater transparency and uniformity across airline practices. Until now, only a limited number of seats—typically middle or rear seats—were offered without additional charges, while most others attracted varying fees depending on their location and features.

In addition, airlines have been instructed to clearly display passenger rights related to delays, cancellations, and denied boarding across all platforms, including websites, mobile applications, booking portals, and airport counters. The regulator has also emphasised the need to communicate these rights in regional languages to improve accessibility for a wider range of passengers.

Further, airlines have been asked to adopt transparent and passenger-friendly policies for the carriage of sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets, ensuring clarity while maintaining safety and operational standards. The ministry reiterated that passenger facilitation remains a priority as India continues to grow as one of the world’s largest aviation markets.