U.S. Pressures Airlines to Commit to Ending Family Seating Fees

Three U.S. airlines agreed to commit in writing to eliminating family seating fees if adjacent seats are available during booking, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) said on Monday.

Under pressure from the Biden administration, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Frontier Airlines will include the guarantee in customer service plans.

“We have been pressing airlines to guarantee family seating without tacking on extra charges, and now we’re seeing some airlines start to make this common-sense change,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement on Monday.

Last week, President Joe Biden urged airlines to follow American Airlines in adopting the commitment as part of a broad effort to crack down on what the White House calls “junk fees.”

“No one should have to pay extra to be seated with their kids,” Biden said on social media.

Airlines for America, which represents large U.S. airlines, says its carriers do not charge for family seating but many do not include commitments in customer service plans. Carriers who do not honor written commitments can face USDOT enforcement actions.

Alaska Airlines said it has “always cared for families on our flights and family seating is something we’ve never charged for.” Frontier said in recent months it took steps to “automatically” seat young children with an accompanying adult. American said its written plan “provides additional clarity.”