Over the past few months, we have received frequent complaints from parents that infant bassinets are either unavailable or cannot be provided because the aircraft deployed on these routes do not have bassinet-compatible bulkhead seating.
This is no longer an isolated inconvenience—it has become a significant passenger welfare issue.
By Sanjay Mehta, CEO, Transglobe Travels
Why this requires immediate attention
Most of these flights to neighbouring countries have durations ranging from 4 to 6 hours, with many operating during late evening or overnight hours. Expecting parents to hold an infant continuously throughout such journeys is both physically exhausting and potentially unsafe.
An infant bassinet is not a luxury—it is an essential facility that provides:
- A safe sleeping space for infants during flight.
- Reduced physical strain and fatigue for parents.
- Better passenger comfort for surrounding travellers.
- Improved cabin safety by reducing prolonged fatigue and discomfort.
- A more humane and family-friendly travel experience.
Growing concern over aircraft deployment
Many airlines are increasingly deploying narrow-body aircraft configured without adequate bassinet positions on international routes to neighbouring countries. While such aircraft may be commercially efficient, passenger welfare—particularly that of infants—must never be compromised.
The absence of bassinets effectively excludes families with young children from enjoying a safe and comfortable journey.
Regulatory intervention is necessary
It is time for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to review this matter from a passenger rights and aviation safety perspective.
We respectfully urge the DGCA to consider introducing guidelines that require:
- Mandatory availability of certified infant bassinets on all international flights exceeding four hours.
- A minimum number of bassinet-compatible bulkhead seats based on aircraft capacity.
- Transparent disclosure during booking if a flight does not provide bassinet facilities.
- Priority allocation of bassinet seats to passengers travelling with infants on a first-confirmed basis.
- Standardised policies across all Indian airlines to avoid confusion and inconsistency.
- Regular audits to ensure airlines comply with infant passenger welfare standards.
- Consideration of infant comfort and safety as an important parameter while approving aircraft deployment on international sectors.
Impact on India’s aviation image
India has become one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. While airlines continue to expand internationally, service standards should rise alongside network growth.
Families travelling with infants deserve the same level of care and consideration offered by leading global carriers. Passenger experience should never be sacrificed solely for operational convenience or fleet optimisation.
A call to action
This issue affects thousands of parents every year. Many travellers plan months in advance, only to discover at check-in that no bassinet can be provided because the aircraft itself is not equipped for one.
We therefore request Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and DGCA India to jointly review existing aircraft deployment and establish minimum standards for infant travel on international routes.
Providing bassinets is not merely a customer service feature—it is a commitment to passenger welfare, child safety, and responsible aviation.
As one of India’s leading travel industry partners representing the concerns of travelling families, we sincerely hope this matter receives the urgent attention it deserves before more passengers continue to face avoidable hardship.
Every infant deserves a safe place to rest. Every parent deserves to travel with dignity.
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