New policy: Air India employees, including CEO, to fly economy class for work travel

Air India has introduced a new travel policy for its employees for domestic work travel. As per the new policy all of airline staff including the chief executive officer, Wilson Campbell will have to travel economy class while travelling for work. As per the previous policy, there was a reserved business class seat for Air India’s staff in duty (SOD).

“The change in policy will be effective April 1 for top management (vice president and above) and from June 1 for all the other staff,” the airline said.

However, the staff on duty or any employee travelling for work including the top management’s seat can be upgraded to business or premium economy in case a seat is vacant. The number of seats unoccupied in a flight is normally learnt 50 minutes before the flight departure time.

The airline has communicated the change in travel policy over a work email to all its staff.

The email reads: “All staff on duty or any employee travelling for work, including the top management will have a confirmed economy seat rather than the current confirmed business class seat.”

This step by the airline is eyeing rising passenger demand for premium seats – both Business and Premium Economy. The airline has decided to follow a customer first policy, demonstrating a culture of customer centricity in the new Air India.

As per the current figures, the airline offers around 50,000 premium economy seats per week which will increase to 65,000 weekly seats once the retrofit process is completed by October 2025.