What’s more stressful than hopping on a plane while traveling with kids? How about paying extra fees just so you can sit next to your young children!
In response to complaints by travelers about family seating where children were seated without their parent, the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) has issued a notice encouraging U.S. airlines to make a big change. Now, carriers must ensure they are doing what they can to make sure kids 13 and under are seated next to an accompanying adult––with no additional charge.
The “no charge” bit of the notice is the kicker. Yes, most airlines (excluding lovely budget options) actually do allow you to pick seats, but they come at a cost. As parents, we scoff at the fees that make us think twice about shelling out extra.
Sitting together means sparing other customers the pain of sharing a flight next to kids they don’t know or the awkward rigamarole of having to ask people to swap seats while boarding the plane. Heck, airlines should be paying us to shoulder the burden of making sure our kids are being kept in line!
Some carriers do allow seat assignments in certain parts of the cabin but not others. And as you guessed it: Choosing seats is free if you are traveling in first or business class for most airlines.
United Airlines boasts the option of family seating but conveniently makes parents pay for it. “There may be additional charges for seat assignments depending on which fare you select. Customers with Basic Economy tickets cannot make complimentary seat selections but may be able to purchase advance seat assignments.” Gee, thanks, United.
Additionally, some airlines only let you choose seats after checking in, which, for parents, is a nightmare. Somehow, we are supposed to remember to check in at the moment the process opens, get all of our seats together and finish packing for a family. Not happening.
In a perfect world, airlines will now allow families sitting in any part of the plane to choose seats together free of charge. Whether that means having to call the reservation line or being able to make the selection online when booking tickets or checking in will likely vary by carrier.
The news from OACP is very encouraging for parents ready to get back out into the traveling world with their kids, but it may take some time for airlines to get their processes in order. “In four months from the date of this Notice, OACP plans to initiate a review of airline policies and consumer complaints filed with the Department,” reads the notice. “If airlines’ seating policies and practices are barriers to a child sitting next to an adult family member or other accompanying adult family member, the Department will consider additional action consistent with its authorities.”
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