No More Free Seats? Centre Scraps 60% Free Seat Allocation Weeks After Announcement

On March 18, 2026, the Ministry of Civil Aviation aimed to improve passenger comfort by introducing new guidelines via the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). These included reserving at least 60% of seats on flights at no cost to promote fair access and assuring that passengers with the same booking reference (PNR) are seated together, ideally next to each other. While this initiative was applauded by travelers, it faced strong opposition from airlines. And as a result, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has now chosen to withdraw the rule that aimed to give passengers more control over their seat selection, just a few weeks after it was announced.

In a letter dated April 2 to the Director General of Civil Aviation, the ministry stated that this decision was made following concerns raised by the Federation of Indian Airlines and Akasa Air regarding the potential effects on ticket prices and alignment with India's deregulated pricing system.

Free Seat Allocation Provision On Hold After Airline Protest

While the free seat allocation rule is on hold, other regulations from the March 18 announcement remain effective. The DGCA is still tasked with enforcing rules related to seat selection, maintaining clarity on charges, and ensuring that passengers sharing the same booking are seated together.

With airlines presently charging fees for seat selection - often between INR 200 and INR 2,100 - the Federation argued that the mandate might lead to higher overall fares as airlines would need to compensate for lost revenue.

Additionally, the government has announced a cap on monthly hikes in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic services at 25%, reflecting the economic challenges posed by rising oil prices and the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

What Rules Are In Place 

The rule for free seat allocation is currently on hold due to airline concerns. However, several other rules remain in effect.

• Passengers traveling on the same reservation (PNR) should be seated together, ideally in adjacent seats.
• Sports equipment and musical instruments will be accommodated in a clear, passenger-friendly manner, in accordance with safety regulations, and airlines must have transparent pet policies.
• There will be strict enforcement of passenger rights, especially during delays, cancellations, and denied boarding.
• Passenger rights will be prominently displayed on airline websites and in regional languages for better accessibility.