Changes in Policy at Air India

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Changes in Policy at Air India

Air India is rolling out a new health policy for its crew members, linking flight eligibility directly to weight and using Body Mass Index (BMI) as the primary criterion. This policy will take effect on May 1, 2026.

Classification by BMI

Here's how flight attendants will be categorized based on their BMI:

• Underweight: BMI below 18
• Normal weight: BMI from 18 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI from 25 to 29.9
• Obese: BMI of 30 or above

Employees who do not fall within the "normal" range will undergo more stringent checks, and in some cases, they may be removed from flight duties.

The Purpose of the Policy

Air India stated: “We have introduced this policy to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles and provide guidance on maintaining appropriate fitness levels. The policy aims to support employees in maintaining long-term health, ensuring they are prepared for the operational demands of their roles, in line with the BMI classifications set by the World Health Organization (WHO).”

Air India officials also emphasized that “physical health is closely related to safety and performance. Ensuring that the crew can handle emergency situations on board is a top priority for the airline.”

Public Response

Critics of this policy argue that it serves as a way for Air India to downsize its current workforce and recruit younger, more attractive flight attendants in an effort to rebrand the airline as a more premium service.

When Crew Members Exceed the Limits

According to Air India, underweight or overweight crew members can continue working if they pass medical and functional tests. If they do not meet the requirements, they will be removed from the roster and placed on unpaid leave until they are cleared to return.

For employees classified as obese (BMI ≥30), they will be immediately removed from duty and placed on unpaid leave. Those who do not meet the standards will have a limited time to return to an acceptable BMI range, although the exact duration of this period is still unclear.

Conclusion

Starting May 1, Air India will officially link the flight eligibility of crew members to their BMI, with the risk of being removed from flights and losing pay for those outside the acceptable range. People come in many shapes and sizes, and while BMI is a rather crude measure of fitness, the acceptable range up to 30 provides a fairly broad scope.

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