Pick your seat for free: 60% of airline seats no extra charge from April 20

Passengers are set to breathe a sigh of relief as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed airlines to offer at least 60 per cent of seats free of charge on all flights from April 20 . The move comes as part of efforts to ensure transparent and fair seat allocation and to curb mounting complaints about high fees for seat selection.

Currently, only around 20 per cent of seats are offered without extra charges, with airlines typically levying anywhere from Rs 200 to Rs 2,100 for preferred seating, depending on location, legroom, or front-row advantage. The new regulation aims to increase accessibility and reduce financial stress for travelers.

The DGCA’s amended Air Transport Circular , issued on March 20, also emphasizes that airlines must clearly communicate seat availability and conditions on booking platforms. Additionally, passengers traveling on the same PNR (Passenger Name Record) should, wherever possible, be seated in close proximity, ideally in adjacent seats.

Beyond seat allocation, the circular mandates that airlines provide transparent pricing for optional services , such as carrying sports equipment or musical instruments, including any associated liability conditions.

The decision, however, has faced pushback from major carriers. IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet , represented by the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) , expressed concerns that offering a large proportion of seats free could increase operational costs and force higher ticket prices . They urged the ministry to reconsider the directive.

Indian airports handle over five lakh passengers daily , and with travel demand steadily rising, this new seat allocation rule is poised to benefit millions of flyers , making air travel fairer and more transparent for the everyday passenger.