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Traveling with young children can be stressful, especially when airlines seat your kids away from you. On a family trip to Delhi in 2024, I experienced this firsthand when my 8-year-old was assigned a seat three rows behind me on an IndiGo flight. The anxiety of not having her close by prompted me to dig into India’s airline regulations. Thankfully, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) introduced a game-changing rule in 2025 to ensure children under 12 are seated with their parents or guardians at no extra cost. This guide explains the DGCA’s mandate, why it matters, and how it makes family travel in India smoother and stress-free.
DGCA’s Child Seating Mandate
The DGCA, India’s aviation authority, updated its Air Transport Circular (ATC-01 of 2024) to mandate that airlines seat children up to 12 years old with at least one parent or guardian on the same Passenger Name Record (PNR). This rule, effective in 2025, eliminates additional fees for seat selection to keep families together, prioritizing comfort and safety. Airlines must maintain records of these seating arrangements to ensure compliance.
Why This Rule Was Implemented
The DGCA introduced this rule after numerous complaints about children under 12 being seated separately from their parents, especially in group bookings. Such separations caused distress for families and other passengers, who sometimes had to swap seats to accommodate young children. The mandate addresses these concerns, ensuring a more family-friendly travel experience. For more details, check Satguru Travel’s insights.
How Airlines Comply
Airlines like Air India and IndiGo must now auto-assign seats to ensure children under 12 sit with a parent or guardian, even if no seat is selected during web check-in. This applies to all flights under the same PNR. While airlines can charge for optional services like preferential seating or meals, the DGCA ensures that family seating is free, enhancing passenger satisfaction across India’s growing aviation market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules for children on air tickets in India?
Children under 2 years can travel on a parent’s lap at a reduced fare (typically 10% of the adult fare). Children aged 2 to 12 require a child fare ticket with a seat, often discounted. The DGCA mandates that kids under 12 sit with a parent or guardian at no extra cost.
What is the airline rule for children to be seated?
The DGCA’s rule requires airlines to seat children up to 12 years old with at least one parent or guardian on the same PNR, without additional seat selection fees. Airlines must keep records of these arrangements.
Can a child 9 years old sit with parents without paying for the seat?
Yes, under the DGCA’s 2025 mandate, a 9-year-old must be seated with a parent or guardian at no extra cost if traveling on the same PNR, ensuring family unity during flights.
Flying with Kids in India Domestic Flights & Family Boarding
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