Many airlines now prohibit economy passengers from selecting their seats in advance, and they do not guarantee that families will be seated together. As a father of three young kids on a tight budget, this is incredibly frustrating.
Traveling with children can be a nightmare. Just the other day, while flying as a family, my three-year-old managed to spill apple juice everywhere—think of a clumsy dancer at a party. My seven-year-old was in tears for nearly an hour because her ears wouldn’t pop, and my nine-year-old turned the aisle into a snack graveyard. Trust me, we were not the most popular group on that flight. My wife and I were scrambling to clean up messes and offering gum to help with ear pressure. I can’t fathom how chaotic it would have been if we had been seated apart.
Expecting parents to sit away from their kids during a flight is utterly unreasonable. Without seat assignments—which often come with hefty fees or require purchasing a more expensive ticket—there’s no assurance that children, even toddlers, will be next to their parents. This is a growing concern, with the Department of Transportation receiving over 600 complaints about family seating in just three months, a stark increase from previous years.
Airlines are not obligated to keep children seated next to their parents unless they are two years old or younger. This means you could end up with an economy ticket where you are not sitting next to your three-year-old. While I understand the challenge of keeping a toddler entertained, I can only imagine the distress a stranger would feel sitting next to a squirmy child. More importantly, separating young children from their guardians creates a host of risks.
Not only does it raise concerns about potential abuse, but it also subjects the child to emotional distress. In the unfortunate event of an emergency evacuation, I know I wouldn’t remain seated if my child was away from me. I would have to go to them, no question.
This situation has led to parents being assigned seats at the gate, desperately seeking other passengers willing to swap seats so they can sit with their children. While many people may be understanding, the reality is that not everyone is willing to accommodate families, especially those who have paid extra for their assigned seating.
Over 128,000 individuals have signed a petition from Consumer Reports that calls for the three largest U.S. airlines—American, Delta, and United—to ensure children aged 13 and under are seated with their families without additional charges. I would argue that this age limit should be raised to 16, given the risks posed by potential predators.
Progress is slow, even as Congress takes note of the issue. For now, unless you’re willing to pay for assigned seating, there’s no guarantee you’ll be next to your children. Here are a few tips for families flying without pre-assigned seats:
- Contact the airline when booking your tickets online. Although there’s no law requiring airlines to seat you together, mentioning that you’re traveling with children might help.
- Arrive at the gate early. Yes, I know this can be a Herculean task with little ones, but airlines often hold blocks of seats for families traveling together. Getting there early boosts your chances of being seated together.
- Don’t hesitate to file a complaint. Start with the airline, which may offer vouchers for your trouble. Also, file a complaint with the DOT, as they’re monitoring this issue closely.
As a father of young children, I find this situation to be outrageous. Families tend to fly economy because traveling with kids is never cheap or easy. It’s only logical and safe for families to sit together on flights.
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In summary, parents should always have the right to sit next to their children on airplanes. The lack of guaranteed seating together presents various risks and emotional distress for both parents and kids. It is essential for families to be able to travel together safely and without unnecessary complications.