In a landmark move to curb high ancillary charges and prioritize passenger comfort, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the DGCA announced a sweeping set of new regulations on March 18, 2026. These rules represent the most significant passenger-centric reform in years, directly addressing long-standing grievances regarding seat selection fees and family separation on flights.
The 60% Free Seat Mandate
The most impactful change requires all domestic airlines to offer at least 60% of their total seat capacity free of any selection charges.
- The Current State: Previously, airlines offered only about 20% of seats for free, often charging for even middle seats during web check-in.
- The New Rule: Airlines must now ensure a majority of seats—including a mix of window, aisle, and middle options—are available at no extra cost beyond the base fare.
- Dynamic Pricing: Carriers can still apply dynamic pricing to the remaining 40% of seats (typically those with extra legroom or in preferred front rows).
Guaranteed Seating for Families
Airlines are now legally required to ensure that passengers booked under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) are seated together.
- No More “Split” Families: Carriers must prioritize adjacent seating for groups and families traveling together without forcing them to pay for seat selection.
- Senior Citizens & Children: The rule specifically aims to assist families with young children or elderly travelers who were previously being separated across different rows unless they paid a premium.
Summary of New Passenger Rights (Effective March 2026)
The Ministry also clarified several other operational rules to improve transparency:
| Rule Category | New Regulation |
| Seat Selection | 60% of all seats must be free; 40% can remain paid. |
| Group Seating | Same-PNR passengers must be seated together/adjacent. |
| Cancellations | 48-hour “Look-in” window: Cancel/amend for free within 48h of booking (if flight is >7 days away). |
| Special Baggage | Transparent, passenger-friendly policies for pets, sports gear, and musical instruments. |
| Communication | Passenger entitlements must be displayed in regional languages at all airport touchpoints. |
| Refunds | Statutory taxes (UDF, PSF) must be refunded even on non-refundable tickets. |
Why Now? The “5 Lakh” Milestone
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu noted that India’s airports now handle over 5 lakh (500,000) passengers daily, making it the world’s third-largest domestic market.
“As the sector grows, the passenger—not just the plane—must be at the center. These reforms ensure that air travel remains inclusive and transparent,” the Minister stated in an official release.
The announcement comes amidst broader efforts to enhance the travel experience, including the rollout of “UDAN Yatri Cafes” (offering ₹10 tea and ₹20 samosas) and “Flybraries” (free book-sharing zones) at major airports.
