Biden Is Cracking Down On Airlines That Charge Families To Sit Together

Families tired of getting hit with fees when they fly might be getting relief soon from the Biden administration.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday that the agency is proposing a new rule that would bar airlines from charging flyers extra just to sit next to their children. Carriers that don’t offer families adjacent seats could face fines if the rule goes into effect.

“The idea that parents ought to be seated next to their own children on a flight is common sense and also seems like something that ought to be standard practice,” Buttigieg said on a call with reporters.

He added that, as a father who’s traveled with 2-year-old twins, he thinks flying as a family is challenging enough.

“Families don’t need any additional stresses or costs,” Buttigieg said.

The Transportation Department’s proposal must still go through a public-comment period in which airlines, travelers and other stakeholders can weigh in. It likely would not be finalized until next year.

The idea that parents ought to be seated next to their own children on a flight is common sense and also seems like something that ought to be standard practice. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Even then, the rule could be challenged in court ― or withdrawn by a subsequent administration, depending on the outcome of the presidential election this fall.

Often families can’t secure adjacent seats on a flight without paying surcharges ― “junk” fees, the administration says, that inflate the cost of travel.

President Joe Biden brought up the issue in his State of the Union address, and he tweeted in February that he thought family seating should be guaranteed.

Four airlines ― Alaska, American, Frontier and JetBlue ― have said publicly they would not charge fees for family seating under certain conditions.

Under the proposed rule, airlines would have to offer parents seats next to children ages 13 or younger at no additional charge. The seats should be offered within 48 hours ― and if none is available, travelers should be offered a full refund or the chance to wait and see if adjacent seating opens up. If that doesn’t happen, then they could book a different flight with no change fees.

Buttigieg said charging fees for family seating leads to uncomfortable situations on flights, such as children sitting apart from their parents, strangers having to give up their seats and airline crews having to play referee.

“It is not fair to anyone onboard,” he said.

The White House has pursued a number of reforms meant to crack down on corporations hitting consumers with “junk” fees.

Earlier this year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled a rule that could slash bank overdraft fees to as little as $3. The Transportation Department also issued a rule that entitles travelers to cash refunds when their flights are canceled or significantly altered.

Lael Brainard, Biden’s national economic adviser, said the crackdown on airline seating fees could save a family of four up to $200 on a round trip, assuming a $25 fee per seat.

Brainard said that amount may not mean much to a wealthy family. “But it could be the deciding factor on whether to take a family trip for working Americans.”