Airlines must keep 60% seats free to ensure families sit together under new DGCA rules

In a decisive move to put passengers first, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has rolled out a new set of rules aimed at improving comfort, transparency and consistency across India’s airline industry.

At the heart of the reforms is a major directive: airlines must keep at least 60% of seats free of charge, ensuring fair access to seat selection and reducing additional costs for flyers. The rules also mandate that passengers booked under the same PNR be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats—a long-standing demand from families and group travelers.

The regulator has further pushed airlines to eliminate ambiguity in policies governing the carriage of sports equipment and musical instruments, making them more passenger-friendly without compromising safety norms. Clear, transparent guidelines for travelling with pets must also be published.

Passenger rights front and centre

Airlines have now been instructed to prominently display passenger rights across all touchpoints — websites, mobile apps, booking platforms and airport counters. These rights must also be communicated in regional languages to expand accessibility and awareness.

The government said the revised framework will enforce stricter compliance, especially in cases of flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding—areas that have historically triggered the most passenger complaints.

Aviation boom meets policy reset

The move comes as India cements its position as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market. With regional connectivity expanding under the UDAN scheme, air travel is rapidly becoming more accessible.

Airports across the country are now handling over 5 lakh passengers daily, reflecting the sector’s sharp growth trajectory and rising demand for better passenger experience.

To complement the policy push, the ministry has introduced several traveler-friendly initiatives—from affordable food through UDAN Yatri Cafes to “Flybrary” book-sharing facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi services at airports.

The latest directives signal a clear shift: as India’s aviation market expands, passenger convenience, transparency and accountability are no longer optional—they are mandatory.