Air India's Shift to Eco-Friendly Staff Travel

Air India will implement a new travel policy requiring its executives and senior commanders to fly economy class on domestic routes. This shift aims to reserve premium seats for customers amid growing demand. A future upgrade option is available if premium seats remain unsold shortly before departure.

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction, Air India is set to overhaul its staff travel policy. From next month, the airline's top executives and senior commanders will be required to fly economy class on domestic routes, sources revealed.

The decision, initiated by the Tata Group after regaining ownership in January 2022, is driven by a significant surge in demand for premium business and economy class seats over the past 27 months. The policy, which begins for top management on April 1 and senior commanders on June 1, seeks to prioritize customers for premium seat availability.

Additionally, the policy introduces an option for staff to upgrade to premium seats if there are vacancies 50 minutes before departure. The move underscores Air India's commitment to customer-centricity, offering 50,000 premium economy seats weekly and aiming to expand this to 65,000 by October after aircraft reconfigurations.

(With inputs from agencies.)