Air India’s new policy requiring cabin crew to share hotel rooms has sparked concerns over privacy and fatigue, as employees claim the move could impact their health and performance.
In an email sent to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Chief Human Resource Officer Ravindra Kumar, employees outlined the potential dangers of the new rule, which is set to take effect from 1 December.
The airline, which is undergoing a transition following its merger with Vistara, has defended the policy as part of its effort to align its standards with the industry.
But crew members argue that the policy doesn’t take into account the unique demands of their job, particularly following ultra-long flights and irregular shifts of up to 18 hours.
Privacy and rest at risk
One of the most pressing concerns raised by the cabin crew is the need for personal space to rest after long, taxing flights. Employees stress that after hours spent in the air, crew members have differing rest requirements based on their varying schedules.
Some may need immediate sleep, while others might want downtime, such as watching television or reading.
Arun Kapur, a former safety and emergency procedures instructor for cabin crew training at Air India, condemned the policy as "neither safe nor kind." He explained that different crew members have different ways of relaxing and winding down after work.
“This policy is not only inconvenient but could lead to increased stress and fatigue among the crew,” he added.
The policy will see cabin crew and cabin seniors sharing rooms on a twin-sharing basis. However, in-flight cabin managers and executives with over eight years of experience will continue to receive single rooms.
While such room-sharing practices are already in place at Air India Express and Vistara, this will be the first time the system is implemented at the loss-making Tata Group-owned Air India.
Pushback from employees
The cabin crew has expressed their concerns in writing to the airline’s leadership. They argue that the room-sharing policy could lead to fatigue, particularly for crew members on irregular schedules.
In the letter, crew members cited potential impacts on their health and job performance, urging the airline to reconsider the move.
A senior cabin crew member shared, “Personal space is essential for us, especially after such long hours on flights. We need time to recharge, and sharing a room with a colleague doesn’t offer that. Fatigue is a real concern, and this new rule disregards the importance of proper rest."
In response, an Air India spokesperson stated that the new rules were part of an initiative to harmonise employee policies after the merger with Vistara. The spokesperson assured that these policies were “competitive and benchmarked to industry standards.”
However, employees remain unconvinced, stating that policies affecting their personal rest should take precedence over corporate alignment.
“Crew members often operate on different schedules, and this means their rest cycles are not the same,” explained another junior crew member. “Sharing rooms is not conducive to proper rest, and this can only lead to more health issues.”
Allowances adjusted, but grievances remain
As part of the new policy, Air India has adjusted international flight allowances for its cabin crew, increasing the range from USD 75-125 to USD 85-135. The allowances for domestic flights remain unchanged, at ₹1,000 per night.
Despite these adjustments, the room-sharing policy remains the central grievance. Sources within the airline have suggested that the allowance increase is part of the compensation package announced in the wake of the policy shift, intended to offset discontent.
Yet, crew members argue that financial compensation cannot replace the need for adequate rest. “A higher allowance doesn’t address the core problem,” said one senior cabin crew member. “It’s about rest and recovery, not just money.”
Legal challenges ahead?
The introduction of the room-sharing policy comes amid broader concerns from Air India employees over human resource issues. A section of the workforce is reportedly seeking legal redress under labour laws, having approached the Central Labour Commissioner with their complaints.
The cabin crew’s opposition to the new policy adds to growing unrest at the airline, with some workers expressing frustration over the company’s handling of employee concerns in the wake of its merger with Vistara.
“The company says these policies are in line with the industry, but we feel they haven’t listened to us,” said one Air India employee. “Our concerns are about health and safety, and we’re being told it’s just a matter of aligning policies with Vistara.”
Air India has yet to release an official statement addressing these claims, but the airline is expected to face further pressure as the December 1 implementation date approaches.
Follow us
