Best seats for families on IndiGo and Air India domestic flights (2026)
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer writes offbeat destination guides for Indian travellers — places that work in monsoon, shoulder-season picks, and the cities Indian first-time international travellers underrate. Based in Bangalore, perpetually mid-itinerary.) · Published · 9 min read
Seat selection for families on Indian domestic flights is more strategic than most people realise. The bulkhead row matters for bassinets, exit rows are off-limits for anyone under 15, and DGCA's 2023 rule about adjacent seating changed what airlines must offer for free. Here is the practical guide.
TL;DR — which seats should families actually pick?
For families on Indian domestic flights in 2026: rows 1–3 (bulkhead) for infants needing a bassinet, middle section rows 10–18 for young children (close to the lavatory, shorter walk for emergencies), and avoid exit rows entirely if travelling with anyone under 15. On IndiGo A320s, Rows 1 and 33 are exit rows — they are blocked for minors and people with mobility issues. Under a 2023 DGCA directive, IndiGo and Air India must seat passengers with children adjacent at no extra charge if requested — but you have to ask, and the free option is often a middle seat; paying for seat selection gets you the better picks.
The DGCA adjacent-seating rule — what it actually means for your family
In 2023, the DGCA issued guidelines requiring airlines to seat minor children next to at least one accompanying adult without charging an extra fee. Before this, IndiGo in particular was widely criticised for assigning family members to separate rows unless they paid for seat selection. The rule is still in force in 2026.
Here is the catch: complying with the rule doesn't mean you get good seats — it means you get adjacent seats from whatever pool the airline has available when you check in. At check-in time (T-48 hours for online, T-24 for the counter), the remaining free seats are typically middle seats in the back third of the aircraft. The rule is real and useful as a floor, but if you want a window seat with a toddler, or the bulkhead for an infant, you will pay for seat selection.
The fees for paid seat selection vary by route length and seat type — typically in the range of ₹300–₹900 per person per flight on IndiGo for preferred seats, and a similar range on Air India, though Air India bundles seat selection into higher fare classes. Always verify the current fee on the airline's website before booking, since these change regularly.
Bulkhead seats and bassinets — the baby-travel specific guide
If you are travelling with an infant under 2 years old, the bulkhead row is where you want to be. On IndiGo A320s, this is typically Row 1 (though this can vary by aircraft configuration — always confirm when you select). The bulkhead gives you extra legroom and, critically, the ability to attach a sky cot or bassinet to the wall in front of you. Infants up to around 10–11 kg and approximately 70–75 cm length can use a bassinet — the airline specifies exact limits, so check before your booking.
Request a bassinet at booking, not at check-in. On IndiGo, you do this through the special assistance section of your booking. On Air India, it's also requested at booking and confirmed by the special assistance desk. Both airlines have a limited number of bulkhead seats, and they fill up fast on family-heavy routes like Mumbai–Goa, Delhi–Srinagar, or Bengaluru–Goa. Even if you've paid for a bulkhead seat, the bassinet is an additional request that needs to be confirmed separately.
If bulkhead is unavailable or you have a toddler who no longer fits a bassinet, rows 10–15 on IndiGo A320s are a reasonable compromise — they tend to be over or just behind the wing, which gives slightly better stability in turbulence (useful with young children), and they're close enough to the galley that crew can help without a long walk.
Exit rows — why families must avoid them
Exit row seats on Indian domestic flights are restricted to passengers who are physically able to operate the emergency exit, are at least 15 years old, speak the language of the operating crew, and are not travelling with dependants. On IndiGo A320s, the exit rows are typically Rows 11–12 (over-wing exits) and Row 33 (rear exit). On Air India narrow-body aircraft, exit rows vary by configuration.
If you book an exit row without realising a child is in your booking, the airline will move you at check-in — and the seat they move you to may not be adjacent to your original pick. This is an avoidable headache. When booking as a family, filter exit rows out of your seat selection deliberately.
Exit row seats come up frequently on the free seat selection screens because they are initially desirable (legroom), so the system sometimes auto-assigns them when there's a mix-up. Double-check before confirming payment.
Window vs aisle — which works better by age group?
There is no single answer, but this is what I've found actually works across different family configurations:
- Infants and toddlers (0–3 years): Window seat for the travelling parent — lets you lean the child against the side wall, position the bassinet, and reduce disruption from aisle traffic. You will need to step over your seatmate to use the loo, but toddler naps are worth it.
- Kids aged 4–8: Window seat for the child, aisle for the parent. Children in this age group are relentlessly curious and will want to look outside for the entire flight. Putting them in the window keeps them occupied and you on the aisle to manage the inevitable snack bag, colouring supplies, and loo trips.
- Kids aged 9–14: Either works. These children are largely self-managing on a domestic flight. If travelling with multiple children in this range, a row of three (A-B-C or D-E-F) lets you spread out without crossing the aisle.
- Elderly parents (70+): Aisle, always. The ability to stand up without disturbing anyone, easy lavatory access, and first off the plane (important if a wheelchair has been requested) all point to the aisle. Don't book a window seat for an elderly parent who may need the loo multiple times or who might need crew assistance.
IndiGo seat map specifics — the rows to target and avoid
IndiGo operates mainly Airbus A320 and A321neo aircraft on domestic routes. The standard 3-3 configuration means rows run A through F. Quick reference:
- Row 1: Bulkhead with bassinet hooks — best for infants, but pricey (often the highest tier of paid seat selection) and limited.
- Rows 2–4: Still front-of-plane, good for quick deplaning, no exit-row restrictions, suit elderly passengers who struggle with long terminal walks after landing.
- Rows 11–12: Over-wing exit rows — avoid for families with children.
- Rows 15–20: Sweet spot for families with kids aged 4–10. Close to the lavatories at both ends, far enough back to be away from the exit row chaos, and mid-plane for turbulence.
- Rows 30–33: Rear of aircraft. Louder (near engines), often last to deplane, but sometimes cheaper in paid seat selection tiers. Row 33 is an exit row — avoid.
IndiGo's paid seat selection tiers are roughly: front cabin (rows 1–6) at a premium, XL seats (extra legroom, specific rows) at a mid tier, and standard preferred seats. The exact rows and prices vary by route and how far in advance you select — check IndiGo's website for the current seat map on your specific flight.
Air India domestic seat selection — how it differs
Air India's domestic fleet includes A320s, A321s and some wide-body aircraft on trunk routes (Delhi–Mumbai). On the A320 fleet, the seat map logic is similar to IndiGo, with bulkhead, exit rows and rear seats following the same principles. On wide-body aircraft, there is a business class cabin up front — relevant if you are redeeming Flying Returns miles or booking a premium domestic fare.
Air India's fare structure on domestic routes is more tiered than IndiGo's. Economy Lite (no seat selection, no free check-in baggage) is the cheapest but gives you a random seat — not ideal for families. Economy Standard and above include seat selection within certain rows. Business class on domestic A321s or wide-body aircraft includes the ability to choose any available seat, and on some routes the fare premium over economy is smaller than you'd expect on last-minute bookings.
For families travelling domestic on Air India, the key difference from IndiGo is that Air India's seat selection UX is slightly clearer about which rows have bassinet hooks versus which are standard bulkhead — worth checking if you are booking for an infant. Use FlightGPT to compare Air India and IndiGo fares on your route, then book directly on the chosen airline to select seats. Also see our guide on group and family booking discounts if you have six or more people travelling together.
Frequently asked questions
Are families with children guaranteed adjacent seats on IndiGo without paying?
Under the 2023 DGCA adjacent-seating directive, IndiGo must seat a minor child next to at least one accompanying adult without an extra charge. However, this is typically enforced at check-in from the pool of remaining free seats, which may be middle seats or rear rows. To guarantee window seats or preferred rows together, you need to pay for seat selection.
Can a 14-year-old sit in an exit row on an IndiGo domestic flight?
No. IndiGo and Air India both restrict exit rows to passengers aged 15 and above who can independently operate the emergency exit. A 14-year-old is ineligible, and the airline will reassign the seat at check-in if it was booked by mistake.
Which row has the bassinet on IndiGo?
Typically Row 1 on IndiGo A320s, but this can vary by aircraft configuration. Always confirm when selecting seats and separately request the bassinet through IndiGo's special assistance section at booking. Bassinets are available for infants up to the airline's specified weight and length limits — check the current limits on IndiGo's website, as these are not guaranteed without advance booking.
How much does seat selection cost for families on IndiGo?
Seat selection fees on IndiGo are typically in the range of ₹300–₹900 per person per sector for preferred seats (front cabin, extra legroom, or standard preferred rows), as of 2026. The exact price depends on route, seat tier, and how far in advance you select. Economy Lite fares on IndiGo do not include seat selection at all — you get a randomly assigned seat.
Is it better to choose seats near the front or back of the plane for a family with young kids?
Front rows (2–5) are best for quick deplaning and less walk through the terminal — good for elderly travellers. Mid-plane rows (12–20) are generally preferred for young children — closer to lavatories and slightly smoother in turbulence. The rear of the plane (rows 28+) is louder and slower to deplane, and is the least ideal for families with infants or elderly passengers.