Flight Booking Set to Change: Airlines to Offer 60% Free Seats From April 20; Rs 200-Rs 2,100 Charges to Drop

Domestic air passengers in India are set to benefit from a major change in seat selection rules, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed airlines to offer a higher number of seats free of charge. From April 20, 2026, at least 60 percent of seats on every flight must be available for selection without any additional fee, marking a sharp increase from the current average of around 20 percent.

Airlines to Offer 60% Free Seat Selection From April 20

The move follows growing complaints from passengers over high seat selection charges, with the civil aviation ministry earlier announcing on March 18 that airlines must ensure fair access to seating without excessive add-on costs. The revised directive amends an earlier Air Transport Circular and will come into effect 30 days after its issuance on March 20.

DGCA Flights Free Seat Rule: What Changes for Passengers

Under the new DGCA guidelines, airlines will be required to make a minimum of 60 per cent of seats available for free selection at the time of booking. This means a majority of passengers will no longer have to pay extra simply to choose their seats.

Airlines must also clearly display which seats are free and which are chargeable on their booking platforms. The regulator has stressed transparency, stating that all seat allocation policies and conditions must be visible to passengers during the booking process itself.

Rs 200-Rs 2,100 Fees For Flights Seat Selection to Be Reduced Under New Free Seat Rule

Currently, airlines charge anywhere between Rs 200 and Rs 2,100 for seat selection, depending on factors such as seat location, front-row preference, or extra legroom. With the new rule, a large portion of standard seats will now be accessible without additional cost.

Mandatory Transparency on Charges and Add-ons

Alongside free seat allocation, the DGCA has instructed airlines to clearly list all optional charges, including fees for carrying sports equipment, musical instruments, or other special items. Carriers must also disclose compensation policies in case such items are damaged.

Airline Seating Rules Changed: Families, Groups to Get Seat Together

The DGCA has also addressed a common passenger issue-seating for families and groups. As per the revised guidelines, passengers booked under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) should, as far as possible, be seated together or in close proximity. This is expected to improve travel convenience, especially for families travelling with children or elderly passengers.

IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet Like Airlines Oppose Rule

The decision has faced resistance from major airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet. Through the Federation of Indian Airlines, these carriers have raised concerns that increasing the number of free seats could impact their ancillary revenue streams.

According to reports, the airlines have urged the civil aviation ministry to reconsider the directive, warning that reduced earnings from seat selection could lead to higher base ticket prices in the future.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations expressed are solely those of the individual analysts or entities and do not reflect the views of Goodreturns.in or Greynium Information Technologies Private Limited (together referred as "we"). We do not guarantee, endorse or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any content, nor do we provide any investment advice or solicit the purchase or sale of securities. All information is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should be independently verified from licensed financial advisors before making any investment decisions.