India Mandates 60% Seats Free of Selection Charges, Ensures Same PNR Seating Together

New Delhi, India: In a significant passenger-centric reform for India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines, through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to allocate a minimum of 60% of seats on every flight free of charge, marking one of the most sweeping interventions in airline ancillary pricing in recent years.

The directive, issued on March 18, 2026, comes as India consolidates its position as the world’s third-largest aviation market, with rising passenger traffic and increasing scrutiny over airline fee structures.

“Air travel has become increasingly accessible and inclusive under the UDAN scheme, the Ministry noted. “Indian airports today handle over five lakh passengers daily, reflecting the rapid growth of the sector,” it said.

According to an official statement, it has mandated the following:

• At Least 60% of Seats On Any Flight Must Be Allocated Without Seat Selection Charges To Ensure Fair Access
  
• Passengers On The Same PNR Must Be Seated Together, Preferably In Adjacent Seats
  
• Airlines Must Ensure Transparent And Passenger-Friendly Policies For Carriage Of:
  
  • Sports Equipment
    
  • Musical Instruments
    
  • Pets (with clear guidelines)
    
• Strict Adherence To Passenger Rights Framework, Especially In Cases Of:
  
  • Delays
    
  • Cancellations
    
  • Denied boarding
    
• Mandatory Prominent Display Of Passenger Rights Across:
  
  • Airline Websites
    
  • Mobile Applications
    
  • Booking Platforms
    
  • Airport Counters
    
• Clear Communication In Regional Languages To Improve Accessibility And Awareness

The ministry said the measures aim to enhance passenger experience, improve transparency, and reduce grievances across the aviation ecosystem.

The move effectively caps airline seat selection charges, which had become a major source of ancillary revenue for carriers.

Data cited in reports indicate that earlier, only around 15–20% of seats were typically offered free, with passengers often paying extra for preferred seating.

A major highlight of the directive is the requirement to seat families and co-travellers together, addressing long-standing passenger complaints.

The rules also reinforce protections under India’s existing passenger rights framework, ensuring better handling of disruptions such as delays and cancellations.

Additionally, Airlines Have Been Asked To:

• Improve Policy Transparency, Particularly For Special Baggage and Pets
  
• Standardise Communication
  
• Enhance Visibility Of Passenger Entitlements

The decision is expected to have a direct impact on airline ancillary revenues, especially from seat selection fees, while significantly improving passenger convenience.

Industry observers see this as part of a broader regulatory push to:

• Align Airline Practices With Consumer Expectations
  
• Reduce Hidden Charges
  
• Strengthen Accountability In A Fast-Growing Aviation Market

In line with this commitment, the government has undertaken several passenger-centric initiatives to enhance ease of travel, including UDAN Yatri Cafés for affordable food, Flybrary for free access to books and provision of free Wi-Fi at airports.

The DGCA remains committed to enhancing passenger experience, ensuring transparency, reducing grievances and upholding the highest standards of safety across the aviation ecosystem.