The Importance of Ensuring Family Seating on Airlines

The Transportation Department is taking steps to ensure that children ages 13 and under can sit with a supervising adult free of charge when flying. This initiative is a response to the FAA Reauthorization Act, which mandated the DOT to issue regulations within 180 days to address this issue. The goal is to prevent parents from having to pay extra just to sit next to their young children during flights.

Under the proposed rule, airlines would be required to assign seats next to parents or guardians within 48 hours of booking, if available. In cases where multiple young children are traveling, the airlines can seat them in close proximity to their adult companion. If adjacent seats are not available at the time of booking, customers must be given the choice to receive a refund or wait for such seating to open up. If adjacent seats are not available before boarding, customers can choose to board anyway or rebook on the next flight with available adjacent seating.

In addition to the seating arrangements, airlines must disclose upfront in the booking process that passengers have the right to free family seating. This transparency ensures that customers are aware of their options and rights when booking flights. Airlines that fail to comply with these regulations would face fines for each infraction, reinforcing the importance of providing family seating.

The DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard already tracks which airlines commit to providing free adjacent seating for children 13 and under and their parents or guardians. This information enables customers to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for their family travel needs. By highlighting the airlines that prioritize family seating, the dashboard promotes accountability and encourages other airlines to follow suit.

Ensuring that families can sit together on flights is crucial for a stress-free travel experience. The proposed regulations by the Transportation Department aim to make this a standard practice across all airlines, eliminating the need for parents to worry about additional fees or separation from their children. By promoting transparency, accountability, and customer service, the DOT is working towards a more family-friendly airline industry that prioritizes the needs of parents and young travelers.