New Developments in Family Seating Policies for Airlines
Currently, domestic airlines exhibit a varied approach to accommodating traveling families. A select few, including JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, ensure that parents can sit next to their children without additional charges. However, for many other airlines, parents often find themselves faced with the dilemma of paying for pricier assigned seats or relying on the goodwill of fellow passengers to sit together.
Recently, President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have voiced their concerns and urged airlines to adopt policies that allow families to sit together without incurring extra fees. This initiative is part of the Biden Administration’s broader effort to promote transparency and better service for airline travelers. President Biden has even called upon Congress to enact legislation that specifically targets the issue of fees charged to families wishing to sit together.
In response to these concerns, the Transportation Department has proposed a new rule aimed directly at addressing this issue. Secretary Buttigieg stated, “Many airlines still don’t guarantee family seating, which means parents wonder if they’ll have to pay extra just to be seated with their young child. Flying with children is already complicated enough without having to worry about that.”
Here are the key points regarding the new proposed rule:
- Free Seating for Children: Children aged 13 and under will be guaranteed a seat next to at least one parent or accompanying adult at no additional cost.
- Transparency Requirement: Airlines will be required to clearly disclose this family seating policy upfront on their websites and during customer service calls for fare inquiries or bookings.
- Seating Arrangement: The term “next to” refers to seats in the same row when available. Airlines will be required to ensure that parents are seated next to their children, within 48 hours of booking.
- Alternative Seating Options: If adjacent seats in the same row are unavailable, airlines may seat children across the aisle or directly in front of or behind their parent or accompanying adult.
This proposed rule aims to enhance the travel experience for families, alleviating some of the stress associated with flying with young children.
