Do airlines charge to sit together?

Flying Together: Are Airlines Really Making it Easier to Sit with Your Family?

For years, families have braced themselves for the dreaded question: Will we be separated on the plane? The anxiety of being scattered across the cabin, especially with young children in tow, has been a common stressor for air travelers. And, let’s face it, airlines haven’t exactly been helping matters, often charging extra fees for seat selection that would guarantee a family could sit together.

However, the winds are shifting. In response to growing public pressure and the looming threat of more stringent government regulations, many airlines have quietly rolled out policies aimed at ensuring families with children are seated together, particularly since winter 2023. But the question remains: is this a genuine commitment to family-friendly flying, or simply a preemptive measure to avoid stricter oversight and maintain customer satisfaction?

The Driving Force Behind the Change

The move away from charging families to sit together wasn’t born out of pure altruism. The real impetus came from increased scrutiny from consumer advocates and government bodies. The argument was compelling: separating young children from their parents during a flight could potentially create safety concerns and cause undue stress for both the child and the parents. With the possibility of legislation mandating free family seating looming, airlines opted for a proactive approach.

What Does This Actually Mean for Passengers?

While airlines have generally stopped charging specifically for family seating, the details can be a little murky. Here’s what you need to know:

• Children and Parents are the Priority: The primary focus is on ensuring children (typically under the age of 13) are seated next to at least one accompanying adult.
• Specific Policies Vary: While most airlines now offer automated seat assignment systems that prioritize family seating, the specifics of their policies can differ. Some airlines guarantee adjacent seating, while others aim to seat families as close as possible.
• Booking Ahead is Still Crucial: Leaving seat selection to chance at the last minute significantly increases the likelihood of being separated. Book your flights well in advance and carefully review the airline’s family seating policy.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Advocate: If you’re assigned seats that separate your family, don’t hesitate to politely speak to a gate agent or flight attendant. They often have the authority to make adjustments, especially if there are available seats.
• Basic Economy May Still Be Tricky: Keep in mind that booking the cheapest “Basic Economy” fares often comes with the strictest seat assignment restrictions. You might still encounter difficulties sitting together, even with the new policies in place.

Beyond Avoiding Regulation: Customer Satisfaction

Ultimately, the decision to make family seating more accessible boils down to more than just avoiding government intervention. It’s also about customer perception. Passengers are more likely to choose airlines that demonstrate a commitment to a positive travel experience, and ensuring families can sit together is a significant step in that direction. Happy families are more likely to be repeat customers, and positive word-of-mouth is invaluable in the highly competitive airline industry.

The Bottom Line

While airlines may not have entirely eliminated all potential obstacles to family seating, the changes implemented since winter 2023 represent a positive shift. By prioritizing the seating of children and parents together, airlines are acknowledging the importance of family travel and working, at least partially, to alleviate a significant source of stress for passengers. While proactive booking and understanding airline-specific policies are still crucial, the days of being nickel-and-dimed for the simple privilege of sitting next to your child may, thankfully, be coming to an end.

#Airlinefees #Passenger #Seattogether