In a bold move aimed at cost-saving, Air India is set to implement a new and somewhat controversial policy regarding its cabin crew; starting from December 1st, 2024 a new room-sharing policy to be implemented, in which, certain crew members will be required to share hotel rooms during layovers. This decision aligns with the carrier’s ongoing efforts to integrate its operations with Vistara, following the airlines’ merger scheduled for next month. The change marks one of several policy adjustments that Air India flight attendants will experience as part of this acquisition.

Air India Room-Sharing Policy is with Incentives

Aviation journalist Jagriti Chandra recently reported, on X (formerly Twitter), that Air India has disclosed this development to its flight attendants. Presently, all Air India cabin crew members are entitled to single rooms during layovers, while Vistara’s cabin crew are accustomed to sharing rooms. After the merger, Air India will adopt Vistara’s policy, standardizing room sharing for all cabin crew members during layovers.

Notably, Cabin Managers and Cabin Executives will be the only employees exempt from this policy. They will continue to receive single rooms during their layovers. Despite this significant change, Air India has introduced a financial incentive to soften the impact. The airline will increase the layover allowance for its cabin crew members on international flights. Currently, crew members receive an allowance ranging from $75 to $125 USD per night, depending on the destination. From December 1st, this amount will rise to between $85 and $135 per night.

In addition, Air India will adjust its meal coverage policy on domestic flights. Presently, flight attendants are only provided with breakfast, but under the new policy, all meals will be covered during domestic flights. However, the existing policy for international flights, which covers only breakfast, will remain unchanged.

Staff Reaction: “Difficult to Digest”

The policy shift has raised concerns among some cabin crew members. One employee shared their unease with Hindu Businessline, stating, “Cabin crew will find it very difficult to digest the change. All individuals have different habits, sleeping patterns, etc. How is this going to be implemented?”

This sentiment reflects the broader challenge of transitioning staff from two distinct corporate cultures. Aviation expert Sanjay Lazar characterized the decision as a shift towards a “low-cost carrier culture,” noting that such a policy has “never happened before in the history of Air India.”

Air India Room-Sharing Policy Safety Concerns and Criticism

The decision has also attracted criticism regarding potential safety implications. As Air India is the only carrier offering ultra-long-haul flights between India and the US, the concern over crew fatigue is significant. Aviation safety expert Mohan Ranganathan expressed concern, telling Hindu Businessline, “It seems management is clueless about fatigue and safety.”

In response to these criticisms, Air India has defended its decision, emphasizing that it is necessary to harmonize policies across the two airlines. According to a spokesperson for the airline, following Air India’s acquisition by the Tata Group, the airline implemented a “competitive, contemporary, and performance-linked compensation and benefits policy” in April 2023 after conducting a comprehensive benchmarking exercise. The merger with Vistara now requires the alignment of policies for employees across both organizations.

The airline’s representative further stated, “The revised compensation and benefits continue to be competitive and benchmarked to industry standards.”

Room-Sharing Across the Industry

This is not the first time that room-sharing policies have sparked controversy within the airline industry. Earlier, Air India Express flight attendants expressed dissatisfaction with a similar policy following AirAsia India’s implementation of room-sharing for its crew. Jagriti Chandra pointed out that the issue could become equally contentious within Air India’s mainline operations.

As Air India moves forward with these changes, the room-sharing policy is likely to remain a debated topic among its staff, with potential ramifications for morale and operational safety.

What are your thoughts on Air India’s new room-sharing policy for cabin crew? Do you think it will positively impact the airline’s operations, or do you foresee potential challenges, especially regarding crew comfort and safety? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!