NEW DELHI, March 2026 — In a sweeping move to prioritize passenger convenience over ancillary revenues, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced a transformative set of new rules for India’s domestic airlines. The headline change mandates that 60% of all seats on a flight must now be offered free of charge, a sharp increase from the current industry average where only 20% of seats are typically free.
The decision follows growing public frustration over “seat-selection fees” that applied even to middle seats. Under the new directive, airlines are restricted to charging a premium for only 40% of their seating capacity.
Keeping Families Together: The PNR Rule
Addressing one of the most common grievances among travelers, the government has ruled that passengers booked under the same PNR (Passenger Name Record) must be seated together.
For years, families and groups were often strategically split across the cabin unless they paid extra for seat selection—a practice the ministry described as “pinching” the pockets of travelers. The new rule ensures that the “random seat allocation” algorithm can no longer be used to force families apart.
Transparency and Multilingual Rights
Airlines have been directed to strictly adhere to passenger rights concerning delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. These rights must now be:
- Clearly Displayed: Information must be prominent on airline websites, mobile apps, and airport check-in counters.
- Regional Accessibility: The government has mandated that these charters be available in regional languages, ensuring that travelers from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities can understand their entitlements in their mother tongue.
- Clear Hardware Policies: Uniform and transparent policies must be established for carrying sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets, ending the era of “random rules” that vary from one carrier to another.
Beyond the Cabin: Affordable Food and Wi-Fi
With India now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market—seeing over 5 lakh passengers daily—the center is pushing for a more inclusive travel experience. To support this, the ministry highlighted several affordability measures:
- Udan Yatri Cafes: Introduction of airport cafes offering food at “very convenient” and affordable prices.
- Digital Connectivity: The rollout of free Wi-Fi services across several major airports to ease the passenger experience.
The Road Ahead
While the Ministry has officially issued these instructions through the DGCA, a specific date for when these rules will become legally enforceable has yet to be finalized. However, the message to airlines is clear: the focus of civil aviation must return to the passenger and the “ease of flying”.
Bottom Line
The era of paying for every square inch of a plane is facing a government-led reset. By unlocking 60% of the cabin for free and ensuring families stay together, the new aviation norms aim to strip away the “hidden costs” that have made air travel an expensive gamble for many. For India’s 5 lakh daily flyers, the sky is finally becoming a bit more inclusive.
