What are the maximum fares airlines can set in India?

During an air trip, passengers often assume that they only have access to the amenities originally placed in their seats. However, this is not the case. If a passenger experiences a headache, leg swelling, or sudden injury during the flight, they can ask the flight attendants for some necessary items.

Passengers can also ask for items such as sanitary pads, tampons, and painkillers. An experienced flight attendant shared information about six important things that many travelers do not know.

According to a report by the New York Post, Sil Ridel, a stewardess known on social media as 'Travel with Sil Ridel,' has been in the aviation industry for six years. She regularly shares tips related to air travel on TikTok and Instagram.

Every Tuesday, she provides passengers with new information. Recently, she talked about what items passengers can request on the plane if needed.

During a long flight, leg swelling or headaches often occur. In such cases, one can ask the flight attendants for an ice pack for a cold compress. This can help relieve pain or reduce swelling.

Sometimes blisters appear on the feet due to running between gates at the airport or prolonged walking. If you don't have a bandage, don't worry; you can ask the stewardess for a bandage or plaster. They may have the necessary supplies to solve such minor passenger problems.

For sudden headaches or stomach aches during a flight, passengers can also seek help from the crew members. Ridel noted that some passengers may be provided with a painkiller. However, the availability of medication can vary by airline and by flight, so there is no guarantee of receiving medicine.

This information may be useful for women. If menstruation unexpectedly starts during a flight and you do not have a sanitary pad or tampon, you can ask the flight attendant about it.

According to Ridel, some airlines place necessary items for women on their planes. However, this amenity is not guaranteed on all airlines.

She also advised not to try to search for these items yourself in the toilet drawers, as this could damage the contents. It is better to ask the cabin crew directly, as they can provide assistance.

Hot water can also be requested on the plane. If you bring a packet of tea or instant noodles, you can ask the crew members for hot water.

Furthermore, if you have nausea or vomiting problems during the flight, it is better to request a special sickness bag in advance rather than waiting for the discomfort to begin.

Ridel added that if the noise in the plane causes discomfort, earplugs can be requested. Passengers can also ask the crew members for extra water, to refill a bottle, or sanitary wipes.

She emphasized that passengers should not be shy about asking for help. Even if your need seems strange or embarrassing, the cabin crew has encountered similar situations before. Therefore, you should speak openly about your problem. She also mentioned that although not everything may be available on the plane, the crew members often have some solution.

The government has introduced new provisions aimed at eliminating problems encountered by passengers when purchasing airline tickets. Often, the initial ticket price appears low, but after adding taxes, fees, and other payments, the total cost increases. Furthermore, passengers are often unclear about what percentage of funds will be retained and what amount will be refunded in case of flight cancellation. The new rules oblige airlines to provide a full report of all expenses at the booking stage.

These changes will come into force on January 1, 2027. The government officially notified the new rules on October 31, approving the Indian Aviation Rules 2026 (Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026).

According to the new regulations, airlines are required to display not only the total ticket price but also a detailed breakdown of each fee on their websites or booking platforms. This means that during the ticket purchase, passengers will be able to see not only the final cost but also the exact amount charged for each specific expense item. Information about all these fees must also be included in the ticket issued after completing the booking.

The new rules make it mandatory for airlines to clearly present the following information: cancellation terms and refund policies. This allows passengers to understand the full cost of the ticket and all conditions related to trip cancellation before making a purchase.

An important provision has been introduced regarding airfares. It allows the central government to intervene in matters of airfares in the event of exceptional circumstances. The government may issue a written order with necessary instructions in the public interest. However, the rules do not specify which situations will be considered exceptional, meaning it is not defined under what circumstances the government will intervene in airline pricing.

Oversight of fares set by airlines will be carried out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The main focus of the new rules is ensuring complete transparency of information about fares and associated fees to passengers.

The Government of India prepared an Aviation Bill in 2024. This bill replaced the Aviation Act of 1934, which had been in use for about 90 years. After approval by parliament and sanction from the president, this bill gained the status of law, known as the Indian Aviation Rules 2026. The new rules will take effect on January 1, 2027, replacing the Aviation Rules of 1937.