IndiGo introduces option to book two seats for single passenger; GoAir announces quarantine packages

After Vistara, low-cost airline IndiGo has also launched a double seat booking system, which will allow its customers to book two adjacent seats for a single passenger to ensure social distancing while travelling. GoAir has also announced the introduction of various 'quarantine packages' offering a range of hotels from budget to high-end ones in select cities to both domestic and international passengers at a starting price of Rs 1,400 per person per night for the quarantine period.

New Delhi: IndiGo launched a scheme on Friday that allows a passenger to book two seats for himself or herself to ensure additional safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"The charges for the extra seat will be effectively up to 25% of the original booking cost. This offer is effective travel starting July 24, 2020," the airline said in a statement.

The low-cost carrier said the "6E double seat" scheme will not be available through travel portals, IndiGo call centre or airport counters. The scheme can only be availed using IndiGo's website.

The 6E double seat scheme 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 original booking, said the airline.

Lack of social distancing by other passengers is a top concern among flyers, according to a survey by IndiGo that was conducted online between June 20 and June 28 among 25,000 travellers.

"Factors such as lack of social distancing by other passengers (62% of respondents), quarantine measures by states (55%) and sitting in the aircraft with so many people (55%) have been identified as key deterrents for air travel," the survey said.

On Friday, IndiGo's chief strategy and revenue officer Sanjay Kumar said, "Even though air travel is the safest mode of travel at this point, we understand the customers' emotional need for safety."

"We had been receiving such requests and are happy to introduce the option to book two seats for a single passenger to ensure additional safety," he added.

Experts said the spread of coronavirus is posing serious challenges for the aviation industry and selling two seats to one passenger with load factors at 40-50 per cent is a good idea.

He, however, suggested that airlines must focus on their cargo services to generate more revenues.

GoAir announces quarantine packages for passengers; prices start at Rs 1,400 per person per night

Budget carrier GoAir has announced the introduction of various 'quarantine packages' offering a range of hotels from budget to high-end ones in select cities to both domestic and international passengers at a starting price of Rs 1,400 per person per night for the quarantine period.

The packages, the first of its kind by an airline in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, can be availed through GoAir's holiday package website, the Wadia group-promoted airline said in a release.

The packages are available for passengers arriving into various cities in India from overseas or within India to ensure the passengers get quarantined easily at the selected hotels, GoAir said.

Passengers can choose from a range of hotels, including budget or high-end ones, in Kochi, Kannur, Bengaluru, Delhi and Ahmedabad, the airline said adding that the hotel quarantine packages start from Rs 1,400 (about USD 19) per person per night and goes on to Rs 5,900 (about USD79) per person per night, from their station of origin.

(With PTI Inputs)