President Biden's Call for Fee-Free Family Seating on Airlines Raises Questions
President Biden is urging U.S. airlines to provide free family seating on flights, but critics argue that this is just another example of the liberal agenda at work.
Unlike his predecessor, Biden doesn't have his own social media platform to make these announcements. While this may test well with certain demographics, the issue of airlines charging extra for family seating doesn't seem to be a significant problem in reality.
The Transportation Department has stated that the Biden administration has asked Congress to pass legislation that would prohibit airlines from charging additional fees for families traveling with children under the age of 14 to sit together. Family seating has been on the administration's radar for a few years, but they have not taken substantial action in terms of legislation or rulemaking.
In 2022, the Biden administration proposed a requirement for airlines to disclose the fees charged for "family seating for a young child traveling with an adult." However, no official rule has been established.
It should be noted that airlines generally accommodate requests for families to sit together at no additional cost. For example:
United and American Airlines implemented new procedures a year ago to ensure families can sit together without extra charges.
Southwest Airlines allows families with children aged 5 and under to board before the "B" group, increasing the likelihood of finding seats together.
Only 0.38% of consumer complaints reported to the Department of Transportation (DOT) involve issues related to family seating.
Let's face it, few want to sit next to someone else's kids. Airlines would probably pay you to supervise them so that the crew doesn't have to. It's worth noting that airlines charge for crew supervision when children travel alone as unaccompanied minors. In fact, leaving kids with fellow passengers can sometimes be a welcome break for parents.
READ MORE:
Of course, there are instances where flight cancellations or changes may result in families not being able to sit together on a new plane. In these situations, it is usually possible to work with gate agents or flight attendants to find a solution. However, if you book too close to the travel date or there are limited seats available, securing advance seat assignments together may be challenging.
Given these considerations, it is clear that this issue goes beyond mere election year fluff or a social media sensation. It raises questions about the necessity of government intervention when airlines generally strive to accommodate families and minimize any inconvenience caused by seating arrangements.
Are you enjoying THE LOBBY? Our stories are only possible because of generous contributions from our readers. Please consider chipping in today. Thank you!