In a major win for domestic flyers, the Indian government has moved to dismantle the aggressive “seat selection fee” models used by budget and full-service carriers alike. On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu announced that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a formal directive requiring that a minimum of 60% of seats on any domestic flight be allocated free of charge.
Previously, some airlines allowed as few as 20% of seats to be booked without a fee, often relegating free options to the least desirable middle seats at the back of the plane. This new mandate is part of a broader “Passenger Facilitation” push to ensure that air travel remains accessible as India solidifies its position as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market.
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The 60% Rule: Ending the ‘Paid Seat’ Monopoly
The primary goal is to “strengthen passenger convenience and uniformity of practices” across the industry.
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Fair Access: By mandating 60% free seats, the government ensures that the majority of the cabin is available without “hidden” markups.
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Curbing Fees: This effectively puts an end to the practice where almost every window or aisle seat was locked behind a paywall.
Families First: Guaranteed Adjacent Seating
One of the biggest pain points for Indian travelers has been the separation of families during check-in unless they paid for specific seats.
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Same PNR Rule: Airlines are now instructed to seat passengers on the same PNR together.
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Adjacent Preference: The directive explicitly states that families should be seated in adjacent seats wherever possible, removing the stress of negotiating with fellow passengers or crew to swap seats mid-flight.
Beyond Seats: Pets, Gear, and Musical Instruments
The Ministry is also targeting “opaque” charges for non-standard luggage.
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Uniform Policies: Airlines must publish clear, transparent norms for the carriage of sports equipment and musical instruments.
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Pet-Friendly Travel: Specific, standardized policies for traveling with pets must be brought out to avoid last-minute surprises at the check-in counter.
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Enforcement: Rights in Regional Languages
To ensure every traveler knows their entitlements, the DGCA is mandating a communication overhaul.
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Multilingual Information: All passenger rights—including those related to delays, cancellations, and denied boarding—must be available in regional languages.
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Visibility: These rights must be clearly visible on airline websites, booking platforms, and physical counters at airports.
Reality Check
This is a massive shift in the low-cost carrier (LCC) business model, which relies heavily on ancillary revenue (fees for seats, meals, and bags) to keep base fares low. Still, the move is a necessary response to public outcry over “opportunistic pricing.” Therefore, while passengers will save on seat fees, you should watch for a slight upward creep in base ticket prices as airlines look to recover that lost revenue. In fact, the “60% free” rule is the most aggressive intervention in airline pricing since the 2025 IndiGo flight cancellation crisis.
The Loopholes
The government says 60% of seats must be free. In fact, this is an “Inventory Loophole”—airlines can still designate the most desirable seats (extra legroom, front rows) as the “paid” 40%. Therefore, you might still have to pay for the “XL” experience. Still, the “Adjacency Loophole” remains; if a flight is nearly full, an airline can claim that “operational constraints” make adjacent seating impossible even on the same PNR. Always check-in as early as possible to ensure the “preferred adjacency” can be honored.
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What This Means for You
If you are traveling with family, you can finally stop paying for seat selection “just in case.” First, realize that the law is now on your side regarding being seated together. Then, if you are a musician or athlete, understand that you should demand a clear fee structure in writing before you head to the airport.
Finally, understand that knowledge is power. You should check your airline’s app for the new “Passenger Rights” section in your local language. Before you pay any “convenience fee” for a seat, check if you are within the 60% free quota, as your booking flow should now clearly label these no-cost options.
What’s Next
Expect airlines to update their booking engines within the next 48 hours to reflect the 60% free seat inventory. Then, look for DGCA inspection teams to conduct surprise audits of airline websites. Finally, expect Civil Aviation Minister Naidu to announce further reforms regarding “on-time performance” (OTP) transparency later this month.
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