Official announcements from major U.S. airlines or relevant news reports

U.S. Proposes Rule to Ban Family Seating Fees on Airlines if Adjacent Seats Available

Aug 1, 2024, 12:55 PM

The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed a new rule that would prohibit airlines from charging fees for families to sit together, provided adjacent seats are available. This initiative, announced on Thursday, aims to address a significant travel concern for families by ensuring parents can sit next to their young children without incurring additional costs. The proposed regulation would apply to both U.S. and foreign airlines and is expected to lower the cost of flying for families. President Biden's administration supports this measure, highlighting that it could save a family of four up to $200 per roundtrip. The rule is part of a broader effort to eliminate so-called 'junk fees' in the airline industry.