Air India has introduced a stringent health and fitness compliance policy for its cabin crew. The policy will come into effect from May 1, 2026. In compliance policy,
Air India said that airline’s cabin crew represent the airline’s brand & are expected to maintain a professional & elegant appearance while in uniform & ensure preparedness for their operational responsibilities when performing functional duties in the aircraft. A statement from Air India on BMI read, "We have introduced a policy promoting awareness around healthy lifestyles and providing guidance on maintaining appropriate fitness levels. It is intended to support crew members in sustaining long-term health while being fully prepared for the operational demands of their role and is in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) BMI classifications." "The policy outlines processes, including periodic checks and guidance, while ensuring employee welfare. Air India has programs in place around nutrition, wellness, mental health, fatigue management and exercise to help cabin crew members manage their health optimally. Air India emphasizes that fitness is intrinsically linked to safety and performance. Ensuring that cabin crew are physically capable of handling critical onboard situations is a key priority for the airline," it added. Focus on Health and Operational Readiness Under the new framework, cabin crew will be subject to ad hoc weight checks, which may be conducted before or after flights or even during training sessions. These checks will take place at designated base locations and training academies, with Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated using existing height records. BMI-Based Classification and Consequences The policy categorizes BMI into four ranges: underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. While the normal range (18–24.9) is considered ideal, both underweight and overweight crew members may continue duties only after clearing medical evaluations or functional assessments. However, those classified as obese (BMI of 30 or more) fall into a non-acceptable category.
Escalation and Disciplinary Measures
The policy outlines strict consequences for non-compliance. Crew found outside acceptable limits may be immediately de-rostered from flights, required to undergo medical testing, and mandated to pass functional assessments conducted at the airline’s training academy. Failure to meet these requirements could result in loss of pay, with repeated instances triggering escalating disciplinary action.
For crew members in the obese category, the policy outlines a structured escalation process. Individuals are given 30 days to return to acceptable BMI levels, failing which warning letters are issued in stages. Continued non-compliance may ultimately result in escalation to human resources for further action.
Additionally, employees who fail functional assessments designed to evaluate their ability to manage onboard emergencies, may be barred from duty until they successfully pass, with only three attempts allowed.
Periodic Medical Monitoring
The airline has also aligned the policy with periodic medical examinations, which will occur at varying intervals based on age. Cases of abnormal BMI identified during these check-ups will be handled under the same compliance framework.
Balancing Wellness and Accountability
Air India emphasized that the policy is not solely punitive but also aims to promote employee well-being. Crew members are encouraged to seek support from medical, welfare, and HR teams to maintain fitness standards. However, repeated non-compliance could contribute to cumulative non-availability and attract disciplinary action.
The policy, applicable to all permanent and fixed-term contract cabin crew, introduces structured monitoring of employees’ physical fitness, with a particular emphasis on maintaining an appropriate Body Mass Index (BMI). According to the document, the initiative is currently positioned as a preparatory phase ahead of stricter fitness standards expected in the future.
The policy will undergo review in May 2027 or earlier if required.
