Why Seat Selection Costs So Much: A Breakdown Of Charges Across Air India, IndiGo, Akasa And SpiceJet

When booking a flight ticket, there is one hidden expense we often forget - the extra charge for your choice of seat. Unless you are willing to try your luck and accept whatever seat you are assigned, chances are you will end up paying an additional amount that goes beyond the price of your ticket. Many people prefer choosing a seat in advance for comfort or to sit with the people they are travelling with. However, this choice comes at a cost - at least until now.

In a major relief for fliers, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has asked airline operators to ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on any flight are free.

After analysing seat prices across multiple airlines, we found that the current percentage of free seats ranges from only 4 to 15 per cent of the total seats. This means the shift to 60 per cent free seats is quite significant and would come as a relief to many fliers who have often accused operators of exploiting customers through seat selection charges.

How Do Airlines Plan Seat Charges?

A closer look at seat prices reveals that these are divided into different ranges based on whether the seat is placed in the window, middle or aisle side, as well as the seat's row in the aircraft. In all cases, seats towards the back of the aircraft are the least expensive. Seats in the front, along with exit-row seats that offer extra legroom, are the most expensive.

Here is a detailed breakdown of seat pricing across Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air and SpiceJet. Seat prices also depend on the type of aircraft. This article covers the Airbus A320 Neo, Airbus A321, Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737-800.

Air India

• Aircraft type: Airbus A320 Neo
• Number of Economy seats in this aircraft (rows 7-29): 132 (this aircraft typically seats 120 to 244 passengers)

While booking a flight from Mumbai to Delhi (AI 2452), we found Air India divides seat pricing into the following categories:

Photo Credit: MakeMyTrip

1. Free: In this flight, Air India offers 20 free seats (15 per cent of total), including 12 middle, 4 aisle and 4 window seats, all towards the back of the aircraft.

2. Rs 444-748: This category applies to the majority of seats:

• Window Seat: Rs 634 and Rs 444, with prices decreasing towards the back.
• Middle Seat: Rs 634 and Rs 444, with the exit-row middle seat priced at Rs 748.
• Aisle Seat: Rs 634 and Rs 444, decreasing towards the back.

3. Rs 863-1495: There are 14 seats in this most expensive category:

• Rs 863: Exit-row seats (window and aisle)  
• Rs 1380: Middle seat in the first row of economy  
• Rs 1495: Window and aisle seats in the first row of economy

Photo Credit: MakeMyTrip

Premium Economy

Rows 3-6 are Premium Economy, with 24 seats in total. All seats cost the same, with no additional seat selection fee.

IndiGo

• Aircraft type: Airbus A321
• Number of Economy seats in this aircraft (rows 6-39): 202 (typical capacity 180 to 220 passengers)

While booking a flight from Delhi to Mumbai (6E 327), IndiGo divides seats into the following categories:

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1. Free: 12 free seats (6 per cent of total), all middle seats in the last six rows.

2. Rs 300-455: Covers most seats in the second half of the aircraft. Window, middle and aisle are uniformly priced within the range.

3. Rs 480-1020: This expensive category applies to the front seats as well as the exit row seats in front and back. The initial seats are priced at Rs 700 (row 6-8), and the rest of the seats in this front category are priced at Rs 480, irrespective of window, middle, or aisle. The exit row seats (only XL) are priced at Rs 1020.

Photo Credit: MakeMyTrip

IndiGo Upfront and Business Stretch

Seats in these classes have no separate charges; all seats are priced uniformly.

Also Read: 60% Flight Seats In India To Be Free To Select, But Will It Change Your Ticket Price?

Akasa Air

• Aircraft type: Boeing 737 MAX 8
• Number of seats: 192

While booking a flight from Delhi to Mumbai (QP 1831), Akasa Air divides seats into the following categories:

Photo Credit: MakeMyTrip

1. Free: Currently, 5 free seats are available, with the pattern reflecting approximately 8 free seats (4 per cent of total) - all being middle seats in the last four rows.

2. Rs 251-500: Applies to around 148 seats:

• Window Seat: Window seats are priced at Rs 500, Rs 400 and Rs 300. The price keeps going down as you move from the front of the aircraft to the back, except for the exit row window seat at a higher cost.
• Middle Seat: Rs 500 for seats before the exit-row, Rs 400 after.
• Aisle Seat: Rs 500, Rs 400 and Rs 300, decreasing towards the back.

3. Rs 652-2375: This category applies to the first four rows and the exit row (around 36 seats):

• Row 1: Rs 2375  
• Rows 2-4: Rs 651  
• Exit Row in the middle: Rs 1000

Photo Credit: MakeMyTrip

SpiceJet

• Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800 (B738)
• Number of seats: 189 (typical capacity 162-189 passengers)

While booking a flight from Delhi to Mumbai (SG 476), we found that SpiceJet divides seats into:

Photo Credit: MakeMyTrip

1. Free: As seen from the available seating, there are 15 free seats available (8 per cent of total) - 12 middle seats in the last 6 rows, and 3 window seats in rows 11 and 12.

2. Rs 211-422: Most seats fall in this range, with prices falling as we move towards the back:

• Window Seat: Rs 422 and Rs 316
• Middle Seat: Rs 369 and Rs 211
• Aisle Seat: Rs 422 and Rs 316

3. SpiceMax (Extra Legroom): About 30 seats fall in this category - all XL seats in the first 3 rows and the exit row. Prices are as follows, irrespective of window, middle or aisle:

• Rs 1,317: Row 1  
• Rs 1,106: Rows 2-3  
• Rs 1,001: Exit row

Photo Credit: MakeMyTrip

While the crackdown on seat charges offers relief to passengers, the seat selection costs mentioned above for a single flight show that the ministry's directive may pose a significant financial challenge for airlines.