DOT to Regulate Airlines Charging Extra for Seating Minors with Parents

The Department of Transportation (DOT) aims to change airlines' seating policies and practices in the next four months. It could establish regulations preventing airlines from charging extra for seating minors with their parents.

In a notice sent to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP), the DOT said that a review of the policies should be undertaken in the next four months amid increasing complaints from parents who do not get to sit next to their young kids on their travels unless they pay additional fees.

Though the DOT acknowledged that such instances did not entail a deluge of complaints, it does not discount the fact that "even one complaint is significant for the impacted travelers." For example, one complaint involved an 11-month-old child who was not seated with a parent.

Thus, by November 2022, the DOT expects the OACP to come up with a report on whether or not airline seating policies for kids 13 and below should be formally regulated.

Airlines respond to the DOT notice

Airlines for America spokesperson Hannah Walden told People that U.S. carriers most often accommodate families who travel together to be seated next to their children or at least have one adult next to a minor. However, the group also recognizes that each airline has its own seating policies based on its business models.

For some carriers, seating issues may arise for basic economy tickets or ultralow-cost carriers, such as Spirit, whose option for guaranteed seats is to pay an extra fee ranging from $1 to $50. Some airlines also provide seat reservations before checking in for those willing to pay extra.

On the other hand, other airlines may not have reserved seating arrangements but encourage families to check in at the airport earlier so they can choose their seats before the other passengers. On United's website, the company's policy is to "strive to seat families together," but it is not guaranteed if the flight is full. On American Airlines, the system will usually detect group travelers and automatically search for seats close to or near each other.

Ensuring parents sit next to the kids without paying more

CondeNast Traveler suggested that families planning travels together must book at the earliest time because there are still plenty of complimentary seats to choose from without the added cost. Reserve all tickets at the same time as well to get the same confirmation code. This way, it will be easy to see in the system that the reservation is for a group.

If the airline provides an online check-in, also do this just as the window is open, usually 24 hours before the plane leaves. However, if you're flying out with a minor, avoid choosing seats in rows next to the exit because there will be last-minute swaps once you get on the plane. A federal regulation bans kids below 15 years old from sitting at the exit row for safety reasons.