The Biden administration has proposed a new rule that would prohibit airlines from charging parents extra fees to sit next to their children during flights. This proposed “fee-free family seating” rule could potentially save families up to $200 per round trip flight. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed the importance of parents being seated alongside their children during flights, stating that families should not face additional stresses or costs while traveling.
The Director of the National Economic Council, Lael Brainard, echoed Buttigieg’s sentiments, emphasizing that no parent should have to pay an additional fee to sit with their child on a flight. The ban on family seating fees could result in significant savings for working families, potentially making it more feasible for them to afford family trips. President Joe Biden had previously addressed this issue in his State of the Union address, highlighting the administration’s efforts to protect consumers from excessive fees and ensure transparency in the pricing of airline tickets.
The proposed rule would require airlines to seat children 13 and under next to their parents within 48 hours of ticket purchase. If adjacent seats are unavailable, airlines would need to offer a refund option to passengers who no longer wish to take the flight. While some airlines already do not charge extra for seating children next to accompanying adults, the proposed mandate aims to standardize this practice across all airlines. However, the rule is still in the public comment period and may not be enacted until the following year.
Airlines For America, an industry lobbying group representing major carriers in the US, stated that their member airlines already make efforts to accommodate customers traveling together, especially families with children. While each carrier has its own policies on family seating, the goal is to ensure families are seated together without incurring additional fees. This commitment to family seating is part of the industry’s customer service efforts, as airlines do not typically charge a specific fee for this accommodation. Despite these efforts, a federal appeals court recently blocked a rule that would have required airlines to display the total cost of a trip, including checked baggage fees, to passengers.
Overall, the proposed ban on family seating fees by the Biden administration aims to alleviate financial burdens on families traveling with children and ensure a more seamless and affordable travel experience. By requiring airlines to seat children next to their parents without additional charges, this rule could make family trips more accessible to working Americans. While some airlines already practice this policy, the proposed mandate seeks to standardize this practice across the industry. As the rule goes through the public comment period and potential enactment, the administration remains focused on protecting consumers from excessive fees and ensuring transparency in airline pricing.
