A few days ago, Vistara started to allow people to buy the middle-seat to keep it empty, in case people so wanted to maintain physical distancing in the times of CoVid-19. This week, a couple of other Indian airlines have also come out with the opportunity to buy the seat adjacent to you and keep it empty if you so wish.

IndiGo Double Seat

IndiGo, has launched 6E Double Seat bookings, which will allow customers to book two seats for a single passenger. Customers will be able to opt for 6E Double Seat only at the time of booking creation on IndiGo’s website, bookable both directly and via the Travel Agents. The 6E Double Seat option will not be available through travel portals, IndiGo call centre, airport counters or after making the original single-seat booking. The 6E Double Seat booking will not attract any airports charges like PSF, UDF and will only be an airline component and GST hence will be priced at a lower rate than the total fare paid for the original booking. This offer is effective travel, starting on July 24, 2020.

The seat selection charges under the 6E double seat scheme will be applicable for both seats, and it will be a mandatory selection requirement at the time of booking. Regular change & cancellation charges based on the type of fare purchased will be applicable on the extra seat(s). The extra seat booking will not be entitled to additional baggage allowance for customers. The extra seat can also be used by passengers travelling with a large musical instrument or a child’s car seat or for special seating needs due to personal comfort, size or disability.

I tried booking a dummy flight to check out this new feature offered by IndiGo. You need to select on the first screen via the drop-down the intention to book a second seat.

When I added the second seat, it was quoted to me at 70% of the first seat’s price, and also, no extra charges such as PSF and so on.

The 70% price quote came up across various sectors I tried to check out the Double Seat pricing at.

GoAir Go More

GoAir has now rebranded its GoBusiness product and offered it as a middle seat empty product, called GoMore. Hence, GoMore is only applicable for the first two rows on the aircraft. Of course, GoBusiness privileges are no longer available. All terms and conditions as applicable to the Economy class fare will apply to GoMore fare, and no additional baggage allowance, meals or any other services will be offered. Tickets can be booked across all channels for Goair, at a 50% markup to the single-seat cost.

Here is how it worked out when I looked for the ability to book a GoMore seat.

Bottomline

SpiceJet is also working on the ability to sell you an empty middle seat. GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara already do that along with their terms and conditions. Vistara sells it to you at 100% of the first seat fare, IndiGo at about 70% and GoAir at about 50%. If you would like to maintain distance on the plane, then it is a good idea to buy these seats.

Would you buy an adjacent seat to keep it empty on the plane?

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