Children Guaranteed Seats with Parents on Flights: DGCA
New Delhi, 24th April 2024: Airlines are now required to ensure that children aged up to 12 are seated with at least one of their parents or guardians on flights, without imposing additional charges for seat selection if they are traveling under the same PNR.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a directive to airlines on Tuesday in response to complaints from passengers, particularly those traveling in groups, who were being separated from their children when opting out of paying extra for seat selection.
Under the regulations governing the “unbundling of services and fees by scheduled airlines,” carriers have the discretion to levy additional fees for various services such as zero baggage, preferential seating, meals, snacks, beverages, and the transportation of musical instruments. Passengers can choose to avail of these services by opting in and paying the extra charges.
A senior DGCA official remarked, “In light of several incidents brought to the attention of the DGCA where children under the age of 12 were not seated with their parent/guardian, the existing rule has been appropriately revised.”
