With airlines increasingly restricting advance seat selection for economy passengers, the assurance that families can sit together has become a real concern for parents. As the father of three young kids traveling on a budget, I find this situation incredibly stressful.
Let’s face it: flying with children is challenging. The last time we flew, my three-year-old managed to spill her apple juice all over the place, resembling a tipsy dancer at a party. Meanwhile, my seven-year-old cried for nearly an hour because her ears wouldn’t pop, and my nine-year-old spilled his snacks, raising quite a ruckus. It’s safe to say we weren’t exactly the most popular family on that flight. My wife and I were constantly on cleanup duty, handing out gum to relieve ear pressure, and I shudder to think how chaotic it would have been if we had to sit apart.
The expectation that parents should be separated from their children during flights is frankly absurd. Without the option to choose seats—often at a premium—there is no guarantee that kids, even toddlers, will be seated with their guardians. Some airlines are reportedly taking steps to address this issue as complaints from families continue to rise.
According to a recent Consumer Reports article, the Department of Transportation received 600 complaints regarding family seating in just three months, a dramatic increase compared to previous years. Airlines are not legally obligated to seat children next to their parents unless the child is two years old or younger. This means a family could find themselves in a situation where a parent and a three-year-old are assigned seats far apart—a potentially dangerous scenario.
The risks are not just logistical; they include concerns about child safety from potential abuse by strangers, emotional distress for the child, and even the possibility of needing to evacuate the plane in an emergency. If my child is seated away from me and something goes wrong, I won’t stay in my seat. I will go to my child.
In practice, this leads to parents frantically asking fellow passengers at the gate to switch seats so they can sit with their kids. While many people might be accommodating, not everyone is willing to give up their seats, especially if they’ve paid extra for them.
A petition launched by Consumer Reports has garnered over 128,000 signatures, urging major U.S. airlines—like American, Delta, and United—to ensure that children aged 13 and younger can sit with their families without additional fees. I would argue that the age limit should be raised to 16 due to safety concerns, but it’s a start. This issue is even drawing attention from Congress, albeit slowly.
Tips for Families Flying Without Assigned Seating
For families flying without assigned seating, here are three tips to increase your chances of sitting together:
- Contact the Airline: When booking your tickets online, call the airline and inform them you’re traveling with children. While they aren’t legally bound to seat you together, making a note on your reservation can help.
- Arrive Early: I know this can be tough with small children—last time, we barely made it to the gate before boarding was called. However, airlines sometimes reserve blocks of seats for families, and getting there early improves your odds of being seated together.
- File Complaints: Don’t hesitate to voice your concerns. Start with the airline, and you may even receive travel vouchers as compensation. Additionally, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation, which is closely monitoring this issue.
As a parent, I find this situation utterly absurd. Families often choose economy flights because traveling with children is already expensive and complicated. It’s only logical and safe to allow families to sit together. That’s the bottom line.
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Summary
Parents should always have the right to sit next to their children on airplanes due to safety and emotional well-being. The lack of guaranteed seating together is a growing concern, prompting petitions and complaints to airlines and the government. Tips for families include contacting the airline in advance, arriving early, and filing complaints to advocate for their rights.
Keyphrase: Parents sitting with children on airplanes
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