The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has updated its guidelines to ensure that children up to 12 years old are seated with at least one parent or guardian. This change addresses issues where children were seated away from their parents, causing concern during travel.

Optional Services Offered to Passengers

Alongside the seating mandate, the DGCA allows airlines to offer optional services like zero baggage fares, preferential seating, and charges for extra services like meals and musical instruments. These services are optional, giving passengers the choice to customize their travel.

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Auto Seat Assignment

For passengers who do not select a seat during online check-in, airlines will now automatically assign seats to prevent situations where families are separated on the flight.

Authority Responses to Airline Practices

Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh previously criticized airlines for misleading charges related to seat selection during web check-in, calling it an unfair trade practice. However, Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam clarified that charging for preferential seats is within current regulations, highlighting the ongoing debate over airline seating policies.

DGCA's Commitment to Family-Friendly Travel

The DGCA's new rule reflects its commitment to making air travel more family-friendly and addressing consumer concerns about airline practices effectively.