In Big Relief For Flyers, Centre Says No Selection Fee On 60% Seats

In a big relief for flyers, the government has asked airline operators to ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on any flight are free. This comes after many passengers flagged hidden costs such as seat selection charges and accused airline operators of exploiting customers.

The crackdown on seat charges is part of a set of passenger-focused norms brought in by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. Currently, seats on an aircraft are priced according to location. Window and aisle seats attract higher charges, so do those with extra legroom. Very few seats on a plane do not attract extra charges, and are mostly in the middle row and at the back.

Customers repeatedly ask on social media why they have to pay extra for seat selection and slam operators. The ministry's rap would hopefully address this concern.

Through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the ministry has also told airlines to seat passengers travelling on the same PNR together, preferably in adjacent seats. This, too, is a long-standing concern for families and group travellers. Those in a group want to travel together and request fellow flyers to shift to other seats. Some refuse, leading to heated exchanges before take-off.

Under the transformational leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India has established itself as the world's third-largest domestic aviation market.

Supported by the UDAN scheme, air travel in India has evolved from being an elite privilege to an inclusive… pic.twitter.com/gbr2YmROIb

— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) March 18, 2026

The regulator has also stressed the need to protect passenger rights in cases of delays, cancellations and denial of boarding, and asked airlines to prominently display these rights on their websites, mobile apps, booking platforms and airport counters.

The airlines have been asked to adopt clear and transparent policies for the carriage of sports equipment, musical instruments and pets. This move is aimed at addressing frequent passenger complaints over inconsistent rules and high charges. These policies, the regulator has said, must align with safety and operational requirements but be communicated in a passenger-friendly manner. Airlines have also been asked to communicate passenger rights in regional languages to improve accessibility.

India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, and Indian airports handle over 5 lakh passengers daily. The Civil Aviation Ministry has said passenger facilitation remains its highest priority. The ministry has also launched the UDAN Cafes for affordable food at airports, Flybrary for free access to books and free WiFi at airports.