Government Introduces New Rule Ensuring Majority Of Flight Seats Free For Passengers

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued fresh guidelines mandating airlines to provide a majority of seats without additional charges. This step is designed to bring transparency, reduce hidden costs, and ensure passengers traveling under the same PNR are seated together without extra payment.

Impact On Flyers
Passengers will now have access to a wider pool of free seating options, reducing the burden of paying for preferred seats. The move is expected to benefit families, groups, and budget-conscious travelers, while also standardizing practices across airlines. Premium seats such as extra legroom or front-row allocations may still carry charges, but the majority will remain free.

Key Highlights

• Minimum 60% of seats on flights to be free of charge
• Families and groups on the same PNR to be seated together
• Premium seats may still attract additional fees
• Policy aims to enhance transparency and passenger rights
• Effective nationwide from March 18, 2026

Outlook For Aviation
This directive is seen as a major consumer-friendly reform in India’s aviation sector. Analysts believe it will improve passenger satisfaction, reduce complaints over hidden charges, and push airlines toward fairer pricing models. However, airlines may need to adjust revenue strategies to balance the impact of reduced seat selection fees.

Sources: Hindustan Times, India.com, News18, India Today