No Free Seat Rule: What the DGCA U-turn Means for Your Fare

The DGCA's 60% free seat mandate was suspended before it could take full effect. Here's what that actually means for seat fees on IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa

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DGCA's Free Seat Rule Is Suspended: What It Means for Indian Passengers in 2026

By Diya Verma (Diya Verma flies from Tier-2 Indian cities and chases every possible fare hack — reposition flights, hidden-city ticketing, mileage runs and OTA bundle tricks. She has booked 200+ international trips out of Lucknow, Indore and 200+ international trips out of Lucknow, Indore and Jaipur.) · Published · 9 min read

The DGCA mandated that airlines offer 60% of seats free during web check-in. Airlines pushed back, the rule got suspended, and passengers are back to paying seat fees. Here's what each airline charges now and how to navigate it.

TL;DR — What You Need to Know

The DGCA issued a directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60% of seats free-of-charge during web check-in. The airlines lobbied against it, and implementation was stalled/suspended before it could meaningfully change the passenger experience. As of mid-2026, all three major low-cost carriers — IndiGo, Akasa, and Air India Express — still charge for seat selection on cheaper fare tiers. The rule exists on paper but isn't being enforced in the way passengers hoped.

What Was the DGCA's 60% Seat Rule?

The idea was straightforward: airlines shouldn't charge passengers for a basic seat on a flight they've already paid for. The DGCA's draft mandate would have required airlines to keep at least 60% of seats available at no extra cost — specifically during web check-in — so that passengers who declined to pre-select a seat could still get a reasonable assignment without paying a fee.

It was a consumer-friendly policy targeting a real irritant. Anyone who's tried to check in on IndiGo 24 hours before a flight knows the frustration: you get either a middle seat in the last two rows, or you pay. The 60% rule would have fundamentally changed that bargain.

The airlines' argument against it centred on commercial impact — seat selection is a meaningful ancillary revenue line for low-cost carriers globally, and Indian carriers are no different. After significant industry pushback, DGCA put the enforcement on hold. The official position has been evolving; always verify the current status at dgca.gov.in, since regulatory positions on this have shifted more than once.

Which Airlines Charge What for Seat Selection Now?

With the free-seat rule effectively suspended, each carrier has reverted to their standard seat-fee structure. Here's roughly where each one stands, though you should verify current rates on the airline's own site before booking since these change:

SpiceJet, where they're still operating, also charges for pre-selection.

Did the Rule Change Anything at All?

A little — and the pressure from the rule may have had some indirect effect. Some airlines quietly made more middle-row seats available at web check-in during the period when enforcement looked imminent, possibly to pre-empt the regulation. Whether that persists is hard to say definitively.

What hasn't changed: if you don't pay for a seat, you get assigned whatever's left when you check in. On busy flights, that's almost always a middle seat toward the back. The 60% rule, had it been enforced, would have meant airlines had to genuinely offer window/aisle options in the free pool — that's still not happening consistently.

What Are Your Rights As a Passenger Under Current Rules?

Even without the 60% rule, you do have some protections. DGCA's passenger rights framework (check dgca.gov.in for the current version) covers bumping, denied boarding, and basic minimum standards. Airlines cannot legally seat families with young children in completely separate rows without reasonable effort to seat them together — though enforcement of this is inconsistent in practice.

If an airline oversells and bumps you, there are compensation requirements. If they change your seat assignment without notice, you're entitled to a refund of any seat-selection fee paid. Keep your booking receipt and document what you paid for.

How to Actually Get a Decent Seat Without Paying

Here's what I do when I refuse to pay the seat fee. First, do your web check-in the moment it opens — usually 48 hours before departure on most Indian carriers, sometimes 24. The free seats that are left (middle seats, back rows) get assigned then, but you'll often find a window or aisle at the rear that nobody's grabbed. The early bird genuinely wins here.

Second, if you're travelling as a couple or family and the system splits you up, don't panic at the screen — ask politely at the check-in or boarding gate. Ground staff can usually rearrange adjacent seats if the flight isn't full, and it costs nothing. Third, frequent-flyer status (even the entry tiers of IndiGo BluChip or Air India Maharaja Club) sometimes unlocks free seat selection or complimentary upfront seats — worth checking your tier benefits before you pay.

And the blunt one: if a flight is showing as lightly booked a day or two out, skip seat selection entirely. On a half-empty plane you'll move to a free row after boarding anyway. Paying ₹400-800 to pre-block a seat on a flight that's 40% full is money you didn't need to spend.

Is the Free Seat Rule Coming Back?

There are periodic signals from DGCA that they intend to revisit passenger-friendly regulations, including seat selection. The political appetite for being seen as protecting consumers is real — air travel is increasingly middle-class and the complaints about seat fees are loud.

My honest take: don't hold your breath. Low-cost airline economics globally depend on ancillary revenue, and Indian carriers are in a tough financial spot. A rule that materially cuts into seat-fee revenue would face sustained pushback. Monitor DGCA's official circulars if this matters to your travel planning — regulations in this space move without much advance notice.

In the meantime, FlightGPT's flight search shows you base fares across all carriers so you can compare total-cost-of-travel before booking — that's the most practical workaround while the regulatory picture stays murky.

Frequently asked questions

Is the DGCA 60% free seat rule in effect in India in 2026?

As of mid-2026, the rule's enforcement has been suspended following airline pushback. Airlines are not reliably offering 60% of seats free at web check-in. Verify the current regulatory status at dgca.gov.in, as the position has been updated multiple times.

What happens if I don't pay for a seat on IndiGo?

You get assigned whatever seat is available at web check-in, which opens 48 hours before departure. On popular flights, that typically means a middle seat in the last third of the cabin. Windows and aisles go quickly once check-in opens — more on this in our seat-selection analysis.

Can an airline legally charge for seat selection in India?

Yes, currently. The DGCA regulates airline pricing but has not successfully mandated free seat selection as of mid-2026. Airlines treat it as an ancillary revenue item, which is legal under current civil aviation rules. Check DGCA's passenger rights page for the most current position.

Which Indian airline has the cheapest seat selection fees?

Fees vary by seat type, route, and fare class, but typically start around ₹100–₹200 for the least popular middle seats on short routes across IndiGo, Akasa, and Air India Express. Always check the airline's own seat map at booking for exact current prices on your specific flight.

Does Air India charge for seat selection after the Vistara merger?

Air India's economy passengers on lower fare classes are charged for preferred seat selection (window, aisle, front-of-cabin). The merged airline has standardised its seat-fee structure across what was formerly Vistara and Air India domestic routes. Check Air India's seat map during booking for exact fees on your fare class.