The Transportation Department has introduced new regulations requiring airlines to provide children 13 and under the option to sit with a supervising adult at no extra cost. This initiative is aimed at making travel less stressful for families and ensuring that parents do not have to worry about being separated from their young children during flights. DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of family seating, stating that flying with children is already challenging without the added stress of not being able to sit together.
According to the proposed rule, airlines must assign seats that place parents or guardians next to the children they are accompanying within 48 hours of booking, provided that such seating is available. In cases where multiple children are traveling, airlines can meet the requirement by seating children in close proximity to their adult companion. If adjacent seats are not available at the time of booking, airlines must offer customers the choice of receiving a refund or waiting for suitable seating to become available. Additionally, airlines must clearly disclose the right to free family seating during the booking process to ensure transparency for passengers.
Airlines that fail to comply with the regulations risk facing fines for each violation. The DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard already provides information on airlines that currently offer free adjacent seating for children 13 and under and their parents or guardians. By holding airlines accountable for providing family seating, the DOT aims to improve the overall travel experience for families and reduce the stress associated with flying with young children.
The push for guaranteed family seating is part of a broader effort by the DOT to enhance customer service and passenger experience within the airline industry. By prioritizing the needs of families and ensuring that they can sit together without incurring additional costs, the DOT is taking steps to make air travel more family-friendly and accessible. As the formal rulemaking process progresses, airlines will need to adjust their policies to comply with the new regulations and prioritize the well-being of their passengers, particularly families traveling with young children.