Last summer, my family and I planned a trip from Delhi to Goa for a much-needed vacation. With two kids under 10, the thought of being scattered across the plane was stressful. I vividly remember the anxiety of checking in online, hoping we’d be seated together without paying extra. After some research and a few calls to the airline, we managed to secure adjacent seats for free, thanks to India’s DGCA rules and some smart booking strategies. This experience inspired me to share practical tips to help families like yours sit together on domestic flights in India without breaking the bank.
Table of Contents
Book Together
Booking all family members under one reservation (Passenger Name Record or PNR) significantly increases the chances of being seated together. Airlines prioritize group bookings and try to assign adjacent seats when tickets are booked together. This is especially helpful for families traveling with young children, as airlines like Air India and IndiGo aim to accommodate group seating preferences when possible.
Pre-book Seats
Most Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, allow you to select seats during the booking process or at online check-in. Pre-booking seats ensures your family gets the desired arrangement, whether it’s a row or adjacent seats across an aisle. Check the airline’s website for seat maps to choose the best options for your group.
Consider Paid Seat Selection
If you have specific seat preferences, such as window seats or extra legroom, paying for seat selection can guarantee your family sits together. While this may incur a small fee (e.g., INR 200–500 per seat on IndiGo), it’s often worth it for peace of mind, especially on busy routes like Delhi to Mumbai.
Check Airline Policies
Each airline has unique seating policies. For example, Air India offers free seat selection for certain fare types, while IndiGo may charge for preferred seats but allows free auto-assignment during web check-in. Vistara often prioritizes families with young children during boarding. Always review the airline’s website or contact their customer service for clarity.
Web Check-in
If you haven’t pre-booked seats, perform web check-in as soon as it opens (typically 48 hours before departure for IndiGo and 24 hours for Air India). Early check-in increases the likelihood of securing adjacent seats, as available options dwindle closer to departure time.
Direct Communication
If seating arrangements aren’t ideal, contact the airline’s customer service or speak to a gate agent at the airport. Explain your situation—especially if traveling with young children—and they may reassign seats based on availability. Politely requesting assistance can often yield positive results.
DGCA Rule for Children Under 12
In April 2024, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated that airlines in India must seat children under 12 with at least one parent or guardian on the same PNR without additional charges. This rule applies to all domestic airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara, ensuring families with young kids are not separated.
Kids Under 12 Must Sit with Parents on Flights – No Extra Fees!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do families need to pay to sit together?
Families don’t always need to pay to sit together. Booking early and under one PNR, utilizing the DGCA rule for children under 12, or selecting free seats during web check-in can help avoid extra costs.
Which domestic airlines let families sit together for free?
Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet comply with the DGCA rule to seat children under 12 with a parent or guardian for free. Other group members may need to rely on early booking or web check-in for free seat assignments.
How can I get seats together without paying extra?
Book all tickets under one PNR, check in early online, or request assistance at the airport. The DGCA rule also ensures free seating for kids under 12 with a parent.
Will domestic India airlines try to seat you together?
Yes, most airlines prioritize seating families together, especially for children under 12, as mandated
How to get seats next to each other on Air India?
Book under one PNR and select seats during booking or web check-in. If issues arise, contact Air India’s customer service or speak to a gate agent. The DGCA rule ensures children under 12 sit with a parent for free.
How to get seats next to each other on IndiGo?
Use IndiGo’s seat selection tool during booking or web check-in (48 hours before departure). Auto-assignment is free, but paying for preferred seats guarantees adjacent seating.
Will Vistara seat my family together?
Vistara prioritizes families with young children during boarding and seating, per DGCA rules. Book early or select seats online to ensure your family sits together.
How do I make sure I sit together on a plane?
Book tickets together, check in early, consider paid seat selection, and contact the airline if needed. The DGCA rule ensures children under 12 are seated with a parent for free.
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