DGCA 2026 Rule: Airlines Must Seat Same-PNR Group Passengers Together
By Vihaan Patel (Vihaan Patel covers the intersection of travel and digital payments — Indian OTAs, airline-direct booking flows, UPI vs credit-card surcharges, RBI tokenisation rules and the booking-funnel mechanics that quietly cost (or save) you money.) · Published · 10 min read
India's 2026 DGCA rule requires airlines to seat passengers on the same PNR adjacently, without charging extra. It's a significant passenger-rights update for group travellers — and most travellers don't know it exists.
TL;DR: What is the 2026 DGCA group seating rule?
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated in 2026 that passengers booked on the same PNR must be seated adjacently — meaning next to each other in the same row or in adjacent rows — without the airline charging an extra seat selection fee for this. Previously, Indian airlines would routinely scatter same-PNR passengers across the aircraft if they hadn't paid for seat selection, and then offer the adjacent seats for a fee. This new rule closes that practice for passengers on the same booking reference. It's a meaningful win for group travel organisers, families, and corporate groups who were routinely paying 'courtesy money' for something they should have had by default. Verify the exact current circular on the official dgca.gov.in website, as specific provisions may be updated.
What was happening before this rule?
Let me be honest about what the previous practice looked like, because it was fairly widespread and affected a lot of travellers.
You'd book six tickets on the same PNR for a family or a corporate group. The booking engine would assign seats — but often scattered: 12A, 22C, 31F. The assumption was that if you wanted to sit together, you'd pay for 'preferred' or 'extra legroom' seat selection, sometimes at prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand rupees per seat. For IndiGo or Air India Express on a busy domestic route, some passengers were paying seat fees that amounted to a meaningful percentage of the base fare just to sit next to their spouse or colleague.
The frustrating part wasn't just the fee — it was that the scattering sometimes seemed algorithmic rather than random. Same-PNR passengers would be placed in seats as far apart as possible, which conveniently made the adjacent seats premium-priced ones. Airlines denied this; consumer advocates pointed to data patterns. The DGCA rule resolves the argument by simply requiring adjacent seating as a default for same-PNR passengers.
What exactly does 'adjacent seating' mean under this rule?
The DGCA's intent is that passengers on the same PNR should be able to sit next to each other without paying. The definition of 'adjacent' typically means same-row seats next to each other, or consecutive rows where the group spans more seats than a single row can accommodate.
For a group of four on the same PNR, the airline should seat them in a configuration like 12A-B-C-D (a full row), or 12A-B and 13A-B (two rows). What it shouldn't do is put them in 10A, 15C, 22D, and 28F and then charge ₹500 per seat to rearrange them.
For larger groups — say, a corporate group of 15 on the same PNR — 'adjacent' in practice means the airline should cluster them in the same section of the aircraft, even if not in a perfect block. The rule doesn't require a precise contiguous block for very large groups where the aircraft configuration may not accommodate it.
As always with DGCA regulations, the specific language in the circular matters. Read the original circular on dgca.gov.in for the exact wording and any exceptions specified.
Which airlines and routes does this rule apply to?
This rule applies to all scheduled domestic airlines operating in India — IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet. It covers domestic scheduled services regulated by DGCA. For international routes operated by Indian carriers, the passenger rights framework is somewhat different, though Indian carriers flying internationally are also subject to DGCA oversight on certain standards.
Foreign carriers — say, Emirates or Singapore Airlines operating into India — are not under DGCA's direct jurisdiction for this kind of passenger-rights mandate. However, if you're booking group travel on a foreign carrier through an Indian OTA, your rights depend on the carrier's own seating policies and the country's aviation regulator.
For practical purposes: if you're booking domestic group travel on IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, or Akasa Air, this DGCA rule applies. Use it when you're disputing a scattered seating assignment or when an airline's check-in staff tries to charge you for adjacent seats.
How to actually exercise this right at booking and check-in
The rule helps most when you're proactive about it. Here's how to handle it at different stages:
At booking: Even with this rule in place, it's worth selecting seats at the time of booking if the airline allows free seat selection during check-in or offers it at a nominal cost. The rule protects you from being charged for adjacent seats, but doesn't guarantee the best rows. Booking early on a flight with open availability means you get your pick; booking late means the airline has to find adjacent seats wherever they're left.
At online check-in: When check-in opens (usually 48–72 hours before departure for most Indian carriers), use the seat map. If free adjacent seats are available, select them. If the system scatters your group and then offers adjacent seats only for a fee, this is where the DGCA rule applies — you should be able to select adjacent free seats without paying.
At the airport: If the airline still scatters your group and refuses to rearrange without a fee, cite the DGCA rule and ask to speak with a supervisor. Mention that you're on the same PNR and that the DGCA mandates adjacent seating without surcharge. Most airline staff at major airports are familiar with this; smaller stations may require a call to the airline's helpdesk. Document everything — photograph the boarding passes and the seat assignment — in case you need to file a complaint.
Filing a complaint: If the airline charges you despite the DGCA rule, you can file a complaint with the DGCA's Air Sewa portal (airsewa.gov.in). Airlines take DGCA complaints seriously because repeated violations trigger scrutiny. Attach your PNR, boarding passes, and any receipts for fees paid.
What this means for group travel organisers in 2026
If you're organising group corporate travel or a family trip, the practical implications are:
- You may not need to budget for seat selection fees anymore — for same-PNR groups on domestic routes, this is now a right, not a paid add-on. Check the airline's seat selection fee schedule and compare with the DGCA rule before paying.
- Group PNR structure matters — if you book 15 employees on three separate PNRs of five each (sometimes done to work around OTA booking limits), the DGCA adjacent-seating rule applies to each five-person PNR separately, not to the full 15 as one unit. For maximum protection, use a single PNR or work through an airline group desk that handles a single group booking reference.
- Pair with Air India's 6-pax PE threshold — if you're sending six senior employees in Premium Economy on Air India, a group PNR booked through the group desk gives you both the group fare and the DGCA seating protection on the same booking. See our article on Air India's Premium Economy group fare rules for how that booking works.
- Platforms like myBiz and Yatra for Business often book multi-travellers on linked or single PNRs, which means this seating rule applies. Check with your travel desk to confirm the PNR structure before travel.
For your group's flight search and fare comparison before booking, FlightGPT helps you check available seats and dates quickly. When the time comes to book, using a corporate portal or airline group desk on a single PNR ensures the DGCA seating rule covers your whole party. You can also read more about group bookings through myBiz and Yatra for Business for the corporate context.
Common misconceptions about this DGCA rule
A few things this rule does not do, to be clear:
- It doesn't give you free seat selection across the board — airlines can still charge for window seats, extra-legroom rows, or seats near the front. The rule specifically covers adjacent seating for same-PNR passengers, not free choice of any seat on the aircraft.
- It doesn't prevent airlines from having paid upgrade tiers — if an airline sells a 'preferred' or 'extra legroom' product with additional fees, that's separate. What they can't do is scatter same-PNR passengers and then charge to reunite them in standard seats.
- It doesn't automatically apply to separate PNRs — if two people book separately (even on the same flight at the same time) and have different PNR numbers, the DGCA rule doesn't compel the airline to seat them together. Book as a group on a single PNR to get the protection.
- It doesn't override operational constraints — if a flight has very limited remaining seats and adjacency genuinely isn't possible, the airline has some operational discretion. In practice, on most domestic routes with 170+ seat aircraft, finding adjacent seats for a group of 6–10 is almost always possible.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DGCA rule on seating passengers together in 2026?
India's DGCA issued a mandate in 2026 requiring scheduled domestic airlines to seat passengers on the same PNR in adjacent seats — without charging an additional seat selection fee for this. The rule is designed to prevent airlines from systematically scattering same-booking passengers and then charging them to sit together. For the exact circular language and any amendments, check dgca.gov.in directly.
Does this rule apply to IndiGo and Air India?
Yes. The DGCA rule applies to all scheduled domestic carriers operating in India, which includes IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet. It covers domestic scheduled services. Foreign carriers operating into India are not directly subject to this DGCA mandate, though they have their own seating policies.
What should I do if an airline still charges me for adjacent seats on a group PNR?
First, ask the airline check-in staff or supervisor to rearrange seats at no cost, citing the DGCA mandate for same-PNR passengers. If they refuse, pay under protest and document everything — photograph your boarding passes, the seat assignment, and any receipts. File a complaint on the DGCA's Air Sewa portal (airsewa.gov.in) with your PNR, travel date, and evidence. DGCA complaints are taken seriously by airlines.
Does this rule apply if the group is booked on multiple separate PNRs?
No. The DGCA rule specifically covers passengers on the same PNR. If a group of 12 is split across three separate PNRs of four people each, the airline is obligated to seat each four-person group adjacently — but not the full 12 together. For maximum group seating protection, book everyone on a single PNR, or use an airline group desk that issues a single group booking reference.
Can airlines still charge for window seats or extra legroom as part of this rule?
Yes. The DGCA rule targets the practice of scattering same-PNR passengers and charging to reunite them. Airlines can still offer paid upgrades — extra legroom rows, seats at the front of the cabin, window seats in premium sections — as commercial products. What they cannot do is assign scattered standard seats to a same-PNR group and charge a standard-seat fee to get adjacent placement.
Does the DGCA seating rule also apply to international flights by Indian carriers?
The DGCA's primary jurisdiction covers domestic scheduled services. For international routes operated by Indian carriers like Air India, DGCA oversight applies to certain standards, but passenger rights on international routes also involve the destination country's regulations and bilateral agreements. It's worth verifying with the carrier what their same-PNR seating policy is for your specific international route — don't assume the domestic rule extends automatically.