Govt Issues New Airline Rules, Says 60 Percent Seats Must Be Free On Flights

Air travellers in India may soon see a more transparent and passenger-friendly flying experience, with the Centre issuing a fresh set of directives for all domestic airlines. In what comes as a major relief for flyers, the government has instructed carriers to ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight are provided free of charge, a move aimed at improving fair access and reducing additional seat-selection costs for passengers.

New push to make air travel fairer and more transparent

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in an official press release, said the directives have been issued to "strengthen passenger convenience, transparency and uniformity of practices" across all Indian airlines.

Among the most significant changes is the mandate that a minimum of 60 per cent of seats on any flight must be offered without any extra charge. The move is expected to benefit a large section of passengers who often face additional fees while choosing seats during booking or check-in.

The ministry said the step is intended to ensure more equitable access for passengers and create a more standardised approach among airlines.

Passengers on same PNR to be seated together

In another important directive, the government has asked airlines to ensure that passengers booked under the same PNR are seated together, with a preference for adjacent seats wherever possible.

This is likely to come as a major relief for families, senior citizens travelling with attendants, and groups booking tickets together, many of whom have often complained about being split across different rows unless they paid extra for seat selection.

The new instruction is aimed at making travel more convenient and reducing the burden on passengers who are forced to pay additional charges simply to sit together.

Clear rules for sports gear, musical instruments and pets

The Centre has also directed airlines to adopt a more transparent and passenger-friendly approach when it comes to carrying special items such as sports equipment and musical instruments.

According to the directive, the transport of such items should be handled in a clear and passenger-friendly manner, while remaining subject to safety and operational rules.

In addition, airlines have been told to publish clear policies for carrying pets, an area where passengers often face confusion due to varying airline-specific rules and limited publicly available information.

The move is expected to help travellers better understand what can be carried, under what conditions, and what charges or restrictions may apply before reaching the airport.

Govt stresses strict compliance with passenger rights

The ministry has also reiterated the need for strict compliance with passenger rights, especially in cases involving flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding.

As part of the new instructions, airlines will now have to ensure that passenger rights are clearly displayed across multiple platforms, including:

• Airline websites
• Mobile applications
• Booking platforms
• Airport counters

The government has further directed that clear information on passenger entitlements should be shared in regional languages as well, so that more travellers can easily understand their rights and available remedies.

This step is aimed at improving awareness, especially for passengers who may not be comfortable accessing such information only in English or Hindi.

Uniform practices across airlines likely to reduce confusion

With these fresh directions, the government is seeking to bring greater consistency in how airlines handle seating, special baggage, pet travel and passenger compensation-related issues.

The broader objective, as the ministry stated, is to "strengthen passenger convenience, transparency and uniformity of practices" across the aviation sector.

If implemented effectively, the new rules could significantly reduce confusion for flyers, especially at a time when many passengers have raised concerns over hidden charges, inconsistent airline policies and lack of clarity around rights during disruptions.