GURUGRAM- Indian full-service carrier, Air India (AI), has implemented a revised hotel accommodation policy for cabin crew (flight attendant) members which states new room-sharing requirements during layovers.
The airline now provides specific exceptions to the shared-room mandate based on flight duration and crew seniority.
Air India Cabin Crew Layover Policy
Flight attendants operating ultra-long-haul routes receive individual hotel rooms under the updated policy. Senior cabin executives with eight or more years of service maintain single-room privileges across all layovers, preserving their established benefits.
The revised policy extends single-room accommodations to crew members during unscheduled layovers caused by flight diversions or other operational disruptions. Internal communications obtained by the Press Trust of India confirm these policy modifications.
The airline’s initial announcement requiring all flight attendants to share rooms during layovers provoked consequential resistance from crew members.
Air India announces modified crew accommodation policies for ultra-long-haul flights effective December 1. The revision follows crew resistance to the airline’s initial room-sharing mandate for all layovers.
The airline increases international layover allowances from $75-100 to $85-135 per night. Crew members operating demanding routes like Bengaluru to San Francisco receive single-room accommodations under the new policy.
Streamlining Policy Ahead of Merger
These changes precede Air India’s merger with Vistara, aiming to standardize employee benefits across both carriers. The harmonization process addresses operational requirements while maintaining competitive industry compensation standards.
The policy modifications specifically target ultra-long-haul operations, acknowledging crew rest requirements on extended international routes.
An Air India spokesperson confirms these changes align with broader merger integration plans. The airline emphasizes maintaining competitive compensation packages while streamlining policies between merging carriers.
Air India’s merger with Vistara (UK) forms a significant aviation entity operating 210 aircraft, including 67 widebody jets. The consolidated fleet strengthens Air India’s position in both domestic and international markets.
The merged carrier inherits Vistara’s service network spanning 50 destinations, complementing Air India’s existing 100-destination network. Route overlap between the carriers creates opportunities for network optimization and resource reallocation.
Vistara’s nine-year operation demonstrated the challenges of premium service delivery in India’s cost-sensitive market. Despite strong customer satisfaction ratings, the airline failed to achieve profitability throughout its independent operations.
The Air India group, encompassing all its subsidiary carriers, schedules 6,209 weekly flights during the winter season.
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