The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines operating in India to make at least 60% of seats on every flight available for free selection, introducing a significant change aimed at improving passenger convenience and ensuring fair access to seat allocation.
The ministry issued the directions through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as part of a broader effort to strengthen passenger rights, increase transparency and bring greater uniformity to airline practices.
The measures also cover family seating, baggage policies, pet travel and the display of passenger rights.
Under the new directions, airlines must allocate a minimum of 60% of seats on every flight for selection without additional charges.
The ministry said the move is intended to provide passengers with fairer access to seat selection while promoting consistency across carriers.
The directive forms part of a wider package of passenger-focused measures designed to improve the travel experience.
The government has also instructed airlines to ensure passengers travelling under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) are seated together, preferably in adjacent seats.
The measure is expected to benefit families, groups and other travellers making bookings under a single reservation by reducing the need for separate seat purchases.
The ministry has asked airlines to incorporate the practice into their operational procedures wherever possible.
Alongside seating reforms, the ministry has directed airlines to introduce transparent and passenger-friendly policies covering the carriage of specialised items and animals.
The new directions require airlines to:
The objective is to reduce uncertainty for passengers travelling with non-standard baggage while ensuring greater consistency across airline policies.
The ministry has reiterated that airlines must strictly comply with India's existing passenger rights framework, particularly in situations involving:
The directions also require airlines to make passenger rights more visible across multiple customer touchpoints.
According to the ministry, passenger entitlements should be prominently displayed on:
In addition, airlines have been instructed to communicate passenger rights in regional languages to improve accessibility and public awareness across the country.
The latest directives are intended to standardise passenger services across India's aviation sector as domestic air travel continues to expand.
By introducing common expectations for seat allocation, family seating and customer communication, the ministry aims to reduce variations in airline practices while improving transparency for travellers.
The measures also reinforce the importance of clear information, particularly when passengers face disruptions or require special assistance.
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