A new regulation has been put forward by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), which aims to stop airlines from charging families extra fees if they want to sit together on flights.
This proposed rule targets the practice of adding costs for seating children next to their parents. If passed, airlines would be barred from imposing family seating fees when seats are available.
The rule would apply to all families who are travelling with children 13 years old or younger. Under this regulation, airlines would be obligated to provide adjacent seating within 48 hours of ticket purchase. Adjacent seating is defined as seats side by side in the same row, without an aisle separating them.
Airlines would have to offer these seats across all service classes and would be prohibited from arranging classes to restrict family seating options, such as by allocating only middle seats to basic economy.
If adjacent seating for multiple young children isn’t possible, airlines would be required to place them across the aisle from, directly in front of, or directly behind the accompanying adult.
DOT argues that eliminating these fees could save a family of four up to $200 on a round trip if seat fees are $25 each.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted that many airlines still do not ensure family seating, causing parents to worry about paying extra to sit with their young children. “Flying with children is already complex enough without this added concern,” Buttigieg said.
Parents often insist that sitting next to their children isn’t optional, especially for tasks like feeding, fastening seatbelts, using the bathroom, and communicating with them.
DOT has received many complaints from travellers who feel forced to choose between paying extra for assigned seats or risking separation. Buttigieg also noted that these additional fees significantly increase the overall cost of air travel for families with young children.
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