Air Indian Cabin Crew To Share Hotel Rooms During Layover: Concerns have been expressed about Air India’s recent rule, which requires the majority of its cabin crew to share hotel rooms during layovers, given that they require sufficient rest and solitude, particularly after long-haul flights.
In an email received on October 1, 2024, the airline revealed significant policy changes regarding layover entitlements, leisure trips, and gratuities. Air India employees used to have the luxury of private cabins during layovers; however, the new policy mandates that both “cabin crew” and “cabin seniors” share rooms, with senior employees such as “cabin managers” and “cabin executives” having single accommodations.
This policy will be implemented on December 1, 2024, for all airlines in the Air India Group, including Vistara, Air India Express, and AIX Connect. This date coincides with the merger of Air India and Vistara, which had prior room-sharing policies.
Numerous workers have voiced their shock and concern over this strategy, claiming that it may negatively impact their ability to work, sleep, and be healthy. Chief Human Resource Officer Ravindra Kumar and CEO of Air India Campbell Wilson discussed this.
They emphasized the difficulties caused by irregular flying schedules, varying sleep cycles, and the vital requirement for seclusion, particularly after highly lengthy journeys that can endure up to eighteen hours.
In response, an airline representative justified the policy by citing the necessity of aligning Air India and Vistara’s policies and saying that the new modifications are both competitive and industry-standard.
Furthermore, an Air India representative, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that crew members with conflicting schedules would not be required to share accommodations. Lastly, but just as importantly, input regarding the new policies will be accepted through October 23.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has created guidelines for flying duty and rest times to eliminate fatigue-related concerns that could compromise safety.
Arun Kapur, a former Air India safety instructor, questioned the new guidelines, pointing out that everyone has different sleeping preferences.
Other competitors, including airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet, also use room-sharing, but they don’t run long-haul international flights, which require far greater staff requirements.
