The White House is taking action to ensure parents can sit next to their children on flights without having to pay extra fees. The Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed a rule on Thursday that would require airlines to seat parents and children 13 and younger together free of charge when adjacent seating is available at booking.
Common Sense Approach
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that seating parents with their young children is both common sense and should be standard practice. Buttigieg, a parent himself, highlighted the unnecessary stress families face when they cannot sit together. He mentioned the numerous complaints received on this issue and assured that the DOT is taking steps to address it.
Financial Relief for Families
The administration pointed out that these extra fees can significantly impact family travel budgets. The proposed rule could save a family of four up to $200 on a roundtrip flight if seat fees are $25 each. This financial relief could make a difference in whether families can afford to travel for vacations or to visit loved ones.
Importance of Proximity
For children too young to manage tasks like fastening seatbelts or feeding themselves, sitting next to a parent is crucial. Families that cannot afford to pay for adjacent seats often end up relying on the goodwill of other passengers to switch seats. This can lead to stress for children, parents, flight attendants, and other travelers.
Industry Response
A4A, representing seven major U.S. airlines, stated that member carriers make efforts to accommodate families traveling together. However, some airlines still charge fees for family seating. President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg have been pushing for the elimination of these fees, with some airlines like Alaska, American, Frontier, and JetBlue already complying voluntarily.
Legislative Backing
The DOT’s authority to propose this rule was reinforced by the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Buttigieg expressed confidence in the DOT’s legal standing, although he acknowledged potential court challenges. Recently, a U.S. appeals court blocked a new DOT rule requiring upfront disclosure of airline fees, citing potential overreach.
New Rule Details
The proposed rule includes several key provisions:
- Airlines must seat parents next to children 13 or younger within 48 hours of booking if adjacent seats are available.
- If adjacent seats are not available, airlines must provide full refunds or allow passengers to wait for potential seating changes.
- Airlines must offer the option to rebook for free or stay on the flight in nonadjacent seats if adjacent seating does not become available
