With airlines leaning into seat selection as an additional source of revenue, many passengers with young children have been speaking out against having to pay to sit together.
Airlines like United (UAL) clarify that “families with children under 12 can book seats next to each other for free.” But most other carriers say that they strive to do this but can put those traveling on the lowest ticket fares in different parts of the plane if space together is not available.
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On Aug. 1 the Biden administration said it was working on changes that would prohibit airlines from charging extra to seat families together.
The latest proposal is part of a widespread year-long effort by the administration to crack down on so-called junk fees. In October 2023 it introduced a sweeping proposal to fine airlines and hotels that tack on costs after advertising initial costs.
How the new airline-seating plan would work
The latest proposal would ban airlines from charging to guarantee a seat together with a child younger than 13 before check-in opens. And it would require them to set aside seats for families with young children together within 48 hours of booking.
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“Mandating fee-free family seating would lower the cost of flying with young children — saving a family of four as much as $200 per round trip if seat fees are $25,” reads the proposal.
“The Department of Transportation’s proposed family seating junk fee ban is part of President Biden’s whole-of-government push to crack down on corporate ripoffs that can unfairly raise prices for consumers.”
While the proposal notes that space sometimes is unavailable, the rule would require the airline to refund or rebook the family at no extra cost or face a fine for separating them. The rule would also need to be prominently displayed on the websites where travelers are booking tickets.
“Flying with children is already complicated enough without having to worry about that,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
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Travelers welcome seating changes; airlines fight
Even before the current proposal, airlines have been fighting the administration’s anti-junk-fee rules. In May 2024 Delta (DAL) , American Airlines (AAL) and United came together to sue the Department of Transportation over the proposed ban, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently found that the agency probably exceeded its authority by instituting it.
The administration thus faces a legal battle to institute the changes, even as many passengers who are increasingly frustrated with travel costs applaud the plan.
“Fees related to family seating arrangements are incredibly frustrating for travelers, especially because they often come as a surprise,” Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, told TheStreet in a statement.
“Today’s news has the potential to reduce travel stress for consumers, especially families with young children who worry about being able to sit together on flights. The change could also potentially save families hundreds of dollars on fees on travel each year.”
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