India rolls out new airline passenger rules on seating, transparency and travel rights

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has introduced a new set of passenger-focused aviation measures aimed at improving transparency, accessibility and service standards across Indian airlines as domestic air travel continues to expand rapidly.

Under fresh directives issued through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airlines will now be required to adopt more uniform passenger service practices, including wider free seat allocation, improved seating arrangements for families and groups travelling together, and clearer communication on passenger rights.

The measures come as India strengthens its position as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, with the ministry stating that Indian airports now handle more than five lakh passengers every day.

New seating and passenger rights norms introduced

According to information released by the ministry and reported by DD News, airlines must now ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on flights are allocated free of charge.

The revised framework also directs carriers to seat passengers travelling under the same Passenger Name Record, or PNR, together wherever possible, preferably in adjacent seats.

The ministry said the guidelines are intended to improve fairness and reduce passenger grievances linked to airline booking and seating practices.

Key directives issued by the DGCA include:

• At least 60 per cent of seats to be allocated free of charge
• Passengers on the same booking to be seated together where possible
• Transparent airline policies for pets, sports equipment and musical instruments
• Stricter compliance with passenger rights during delays, cancellations and denied boarding
• Improved visibility of passenger rights across booking platforms and airports

The ministry said airlines have also been instructed to prominently display passenger rights information across websites, mobile applications, booking portals and airport service counters.

Push for wider transparency and accessibility

The latest measures form part of a broader effort by the government to improve the overall passenger experience as air travel becomes increasingly mainstream across India.

Officials said the ministry has placed particular emphasis on transparency and multilingual communication to ensure passengers are better informed about their entitlements and airline responsibilities.

Airlines have been encouraged to provide clearer information in regional languages to improve accessibility for travellers across different parts of the country.

The ministry said stronger communication standards are expected to reduce disputes linked to refunds, cancellations, baggage rules and boarding procedures.

Passenger convenience remains central focus

Alongside the new airline directives, the ministry highlighted several airport initiatives already introduced to improve travel convenience.

These include:

• UDAN Yatri Cafes offering affordable food options at airports
• Flybrary facilities providing free access to books for travellers
• Free Wi-Fi services at airports across the country

The government said these initiatives are designed to make aviation infrastructure more inclusive and passenger-friendly as traffic volumes continue to rise.

India’s aviation expansion has accelerated in recent years under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which aims to improve air access to smaller cities and underserved regions.

Aviation sector enters next growth phase

The ministry said the latest reforms are part of a wider strategy to strengthen service quality, reduce complaints and improve operational standards across the aviation ecosystem.

As passenger numbers increase and competition intensifies among Indian carriers, regulators are placing greater emphasis on accountability, transparency and customer experience.

The new guidelines also reflect growing scrutiny of ancillary airline charges and passenger service practices globally, particularly around seat selection policies and compensation during operational disruptions.

With India’s aviation market expected to continue expanding over the coming decade, policymakers are increasingly focused on balancing rapid growth with stronger passenger protections and more standardised service delivery.