White House Bans Airlines from Charging Extra Fees for Family Members
Parents flying with children will no longer have to worry about paying extra fees to sit together, as the White House has announced a new rule banning airlines from charging additional fees for family members. The rule, proposed by the U.S. Transportation Department, requires airlines to seat parents and children 13 and younger together for free if they are booked with adjacent seats.
Importance of Family Seating and Ban on Additional Costs
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of adults and young children sitting together, calling it a common-sense practice. The government believes that the additional costs of family seating could prevent families from affording travel for vacations or to visit loved ones. The proposal aims to save families up to $200 in round-trip costs by eliminating the $25 per seat charge for children.
Sitting next to a parent is crucial for young children who may need assistance with buckling up or feeding themselves. Without the ban on extra fees, families often face the dilemma of either paying extra or relying on the goodwill of other passengers to switch seats. The Department of Transportation highlighted the stress and inconvenience caused when passengers refuse to swap seats, potentially leaving children unsupervised during the flight.
Government Action and Response from Airlines
President Biden has called on Congress to support the ban on family seating fees, labeling them as “junk” fees. Buttigieg reached out to major airlines to voluntarily stop charging these fees, with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and JetBlue Airways complying with the request.
Congress granted the Department of Transportation the authority to propose the rule as part of a bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill. Despite potential challenges to the proposal, Buttigieg expressed confidence in the Department’s authority and sought assurances from Congress.
In addition to prohibiting airlines from charging extra for children to sit with their parents, the proposal also mandates that airlines seat parents next to children when adjacent seats are available within 48 hours of booking. If adjacent seats are not available, carriers must offer passengers a full refund or the option to rebook for free or wait for family seats to become available.
