In a bid to improve the travel experience for families, Air India has launched dedicated ‘Family Assistance’ check-in counters at Delhi Airport, offering tailored services to families traveling with children, elderly members, and those who require special assistance. This move is especially timely as summer travel picks up, providing peace of mind for passengers who may need extra support before and during their journey.
What is Air India’s ‘Family Assistance’ Service?
The new initiative, currently available at Delhi Airport, is designed to make the airport experience smoother and more convenient for families traveling together. The dedicated counters provide a one-stop solution where family members can receive personalized support, ranging from seat reallocation requests (if seats were not booked together) to last-minute wheelchair assistance for passengers with reduced mobility.
For instance, passengers who may not have initially requested wheelchair support or seating together during booking can now make those requests at the ‘Family Assistance’ counter, subject to availability. Additionally, Air India staff at the counter will assist families with any baggage-related concerns, provide guidance on immigration and customs procedures, and ensure that everything from check-in to boarding is seamless.
Support for Children and Elderly Passengers
For families traveling with young children or elderly passengers, the airline also offers specialized assistance. Children traveling alone who have not availed of Air India’s Unaccompanied Minor service will receive additional support to navigate through the airport, ensuring they make it from check-in to the boarding gate safely. Similarly, elderly passengers or those with mobility impairments will have staff on hand to assist with moving through the airport and managing their travel needs.
This dedicated counter service is part of Air India’s broader efforts to provide accessible, stress-free experiences for all passengers, regardless of age or physical ability.
How Does This Compare to Other Airlines’ Family Assistance Programs?
Air India’s move follows a broader industry trend where airlines are increasingly recognizing the need for specialized services catering to families and passengers with special requirements. Several other major airlines offer similar services to ensure that families can travel without worry.
- Emirates has long been known for its family-friendly policies, including dedicated check-in counters, priority boarding for families with young children, and assistance for unaccompanied minors. The airline also offers special services like bassinets and child-friendly meal options.
- Singapore Airlines provides a robust support system for families, with services like “Family Check-In” counters, priority boarding for families, and assistance for children traveling alone. They also offer a “Singapore Airlines Family Package,” which bundles flights and hotel stays to make family vacations even more convenient.
- Lufthansa also offers priority check-in and family assistance services, particularly for families traveling with infants or young children. They ensure that families are seated together and provide extra luggage allowances for families with children.
- Qatar Airways offers a “Qatar Airways Family” service, which includes special attention to families traveling with children. The airline provides extra assistance during check-in, help with strollers, and priority boarding.
The Growing Demand for Family Travel Assistance
The demand for family-friendly services is increasing, especially as post-pandemic travel rebounds and family vacations become more common. Families often face the added stress of managing not only their own travel needs but also those of children, elderly relatives, or passengers with disabilities. By offering a range of services to make this process easier, airlines like Air India are setting themselves apart as leaders in customer care.
Air India’s ‘Family Assistance’ counters at Delhi Airport represent an important step in ensuring that families can travel together with minimal stress. The initiative is designed to streamline the check-in process, reduce waiting times, and ensure that families have a smooth experience at every stage of their journey.
Looking Ahead: More Airports to Join the Initiative?
While the service is currently available at Delhi Airport, it is likely that Air India will expand the ‘Family Assistance’ program to other major airports in the future. Given the success of similar initiatives by other international airlines, this could be the first of many enhancements to come, especially as airlines continue to prioritize customer service in a competitive industry.
By launching these dedicated counters, Air India is not only making travel easier for families but also contributing to the growing trend of personalized and accessible air travel services.
