Air India has announced a new Body Mass Index (BMI)-based policy for cabin crew, effective May 1, 2026, linking employees’ weight to salary. The move applies to all flight attendants, regardless of seniority, ahead of the busy summer season.
Under the policy, crew members must fall within a “desirable” BMI range or face pay cuts. Both underweight and overweight employees will be penalized, marking a shift from traditional grooming standards to stricter health-based metrics.
The airline has introduced a tiered system where deviations from the set BMI range could lead to salary reductions between 5% and 15%, depending on severity. Measurements will be conducted quarterly to monitor compliance.
The rule is expected to impact nearly 12,000 cabin crew across domestic and international operations, placing financial pressure on staff while aiming to enforce standardized health and fitness levels.
