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The Biden administration is initiating a rulemaking process to mandate that airlines seat families with children aged 13 and under together for free. While airlines generally already do this under pressure from earlier in the administration, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has a dashboard showing compliance as part of airline customer service plans, making it enforceable. American Airlines followed United's lead on this matter, and other carriers have since conformed.
The proposed rule would alter penalties and procedures related to family seating. Specifically, airlines would be required to seat parents next to children aged 13 or under within 48 hours of booking. This seating arrangement must be in the same row without separation by an aisle and applies across all classes of service, including first class. Basic economy cannot be defined as a separate class consisting only of middle seats. If adjacent seating in the same row is unavailable, seats across the aisle or directly in front or behind a parent are considered compliant. Should these arrangements be impossible, airlines must offer refunds or free rebooking options based on customer preference. Additionally, airlines will need to clearly disclose this right to family seating.
This new rule could challenge Southwest Airlines' current open seating policy, potentially leading the airline to abandon its concept.
