Air India is set to roll out a new health and fitness compliance policy from May 1, 2026, under which cabin crew who do not meet prescribed body mass index (BMI) standards may be taken off flight duty without pay. The policy allows for unannounced BMI checks and requires crew to clear functional fitness assessments before returning to duty.
The airline, in its ‘Cabin Crew Health and Fitness Compliance Policy’ document, stated, “In addition to health improvement and welfare, the aim of this policy is to ensure that all cabin crew are in their best physical health to deliver on the expected performance standards. Crew members must take proactive measures to be within the specified normal BMI range… Consequences will apply for non-compliance to assessment timelines and repeated defaulters.”
Graded framework linked to BMI
The policy applies to all permanent and fixed-term contract cabin crew and introduces a structured, graded corrective system based on BMI categories. A BMI between 18 and 24.9 is considered the “desired range.” Those with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 or below 18 may continue flying, but only with medical clearance and a successful functional assessment. A BMI of 30 or above is classified as “not acceptable.”
For those in the overweight and underweight categories, failure to clear the required assessments can lead to de-rostering and loss of pay until compliance is achieved.
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Ad Hoc checks and mandatory assessments
According to the policy document, Air India may conduct random weight checks before or after flights or during training sessions at the home base or training academy. Crew members identified as underweight must undergo medical evaluation within seven days at their own expense. If no medical condition is found, they must pass a functional assessment before resuming duties.
“If the crew is unsuccessful in clearing the functional assessment, they will be placed on loss of pay (LoP) until they clear the Functional Assessment,” the policy states.
Strict measures for obesity category
The strictest provisions apply to those classified as obese. Such crew members will be immediately de-rostered and placed on loss of pay. They must undergo medical tests, including blood sugar and lipid profile, within seven days at their own expense. Return to duty is allowed only after achieving an acceptable BMI and clearing the functional assessment.
“Any test results of medical examination undergone by the crew prior to being identified as obese shall not be considered,” the document states.
Repeated cases may trigger warning letters and escalation to HR if BMI levels remain above 30 within the specified timelines.
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Airline’s Justification
Explaining the rationale, an Air India spokesperson said, “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’s BMI classifications... Ensuring that cabin crew are physically capable of handling critical onboard situations is a key priority for the airline.”
Air India has previously enforced weight standards, including a grounding exercise in 2015. The issue resurfaced in 2022, just before the Tata Group takeover, when internal directives on BMI checks drew union objections. The new policy formalises these standards with defined thresholds, a clear compliance process, and a direct link between non-compliance and pay.
