U.S. Moves to Eliminate Airline Fees for Parents Sitting Next to Their Kids

In a significant move to ease the financial burden on families traveling with young children, the Biden-Harris Administration has proposed a new rule aimed at eliminating “junk fees” imposed by airlines for seating parents next to their kids.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a proposed rule that would mandate airlines to seat parents next to their young children for free, provided that adjacent seating is available at the time of booking.

This proposed regulation is expected to significantly lower the cost of flying for families. For instance, a family of four could potentially save up to $200 on a roundtrip flight if airlines currently charge $25 per seat for reserved seating. The rule is part of President Biden’s broader initiative to combat corporate practices that unfairly inflate costs for consumers.

“Many airlines still don’t guarantee family seating, which means parents wonder if they’ll have to pay extra just to be seated with their young child,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Flying with children is already complicated enough without having to worry about that.

The new rule we’re proposing today, which would ban airlines from charging parents a fee to sit with their children, is another example of the Biden-Harris Administration using all the tools at our disposal to lower costs for families and protect consumers from unfair practices.”

The necessity of adjacent seating for young children, who are often unable to manage basic needs like fastening seatbelts or going to the bathroom alone, underscores the importance of this rule. Despite this, many airlines still require parents to pay extra to ensure they are seated together, forcing families to choose between additional expenses and the risk of being separated during the flight.

Currently, families who opt not to pay these fees often face the stress and inconvenience of trying to sit together during the boarding process. This sometimes results in disruptions for other passengers, who may be asked to move from their paid seats to accommodate families with young children. Such situations can cause discomfort and stress for everyone involved, including the unsupervised child and the surrounding travelers.