Are Airlines Required To Seat Families Together? | Your Guide

Airlines are not federally mandated to seat families together, but the Department of Transportation strongly encourages it for children under 13.

Traveling with family brings its own set of considerations, and few are as critical as ensuring everyone can sit together on a flight. The desire to keep children close, particularly young ones, is a natural concern for any parent or guardian. Understanding the current guidelines and airline practices can significantly reduce stress and improve the travel experience.

The Current Landscape: DOT Guidance vs. Hard Rules

There is no federal law in place that strictly mandates airlines to seat families together. This often comes as a surprise to many travelers. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has, however, issued guidance to airlines regarding family seating, specifically for children under 13 years old.

This guidance encourages airlines to adopt policies that ensure children aged 13 or under are seated next to an accompanying adult, at no additional cost. The DOT aims to make family travel less stressful by promoting voluntary compliance among carriers. This initiative is a push towards industry best practices rather than a rigid regulation.

The DOT’s position emphasizes that airlines should facilitate seating young children with adults without charging extra fees for seat assignments. This guidance applies to situations where adjacent seats are available at the time of booking or during check-in.

Understanding the DOT’s Family Seating Dashboard and Airline Commitments

To increase transparency and encourage compliance, the DOT launched a “Families Flying Together” dashboard. This tool allows travelers to see which airlines have committed to ensuring children under 13 can sit with an accompanying adult for free.

Airlines listed on the dashboard have publicly stated policies aligning with the DOT’s guidance. These carriers typically allow families to select adjacent seats at no extra charge, even if they are traveling on basic economy fares that usually restrict seat selection. The DOT provides details on these airline commitments directly on its website, offering a valuable resource for planning family trips. According to the Department of Transportation, several major airlines have updated their policies to guarantee free family seating for young children.

The dashboard is regularly updated, reflecting new commitments or changes in airline policies. Checking this resource before booking can provide clarity on a specific airline’s stance on family seating.

Airline Policies: A Spectrum of Approaches

While the DOT’s guidance is clear, airline implementation varies. Many major airlines have adjusted their policies to align with the DOT’s recommendations, especially for children under 13.

• Major Carriers (e.g., American, Delta, United): These airlines generally offer free adjacent seating for children under 13 with an accompanying adult. This often extends to basic economy fares, where seat selection fees are typically applied to adults.
• Low-Cost Carriers (e.g., Spirit, Frontier): These airlines often charge for all seat assignments, including those for children. While they may try to accommodate families, there is no guarantee of free adjacent seating without purchasing specific seats.
• Southwest Airlines: Operating with an open seating policy, Southwest offers “Family Boarding” between the A and B groups, allowing families with children aged six and under to board together and find seats. This system generally facilitates families sitting together without assigned seats.

Understanding an airline’s specific policy before booking is essential. Reviewing the airline’s “Conditions of Carriage” or family travel sections on their website provides the most accurate information.

Proactive Strategies for Securing Family Seating

Taking a few proactive steps can greatly increase the likelihood of your family sitting together.

Booking Strategies

• Book Early: Seat availability decreases closer to departure. Booking as far in advance as possible provides the best chance to select preferred seats.
• Book Directly with the Airline: When booking through third-party sites, seat selection options can sometimes be limited or delayed. Booking directly often grants immediate access to seat maps.
• Utilize Seat Maps: During the booking process, select seats immediately. If the airline’s policy allows, choose adjacent seats for your family. If the system separates you, try calling the airline’s reservations line.
• Avoid Basic Economy (if possible): While some airlines extend free family seating to basic economy, these fares often come with restrictions on seat selection, baggage, and changes. Standard economy or higher fares typically offer more flexibility.

During Check-in

• Check-in Online Promptly: Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. This is another opportunity to confirm or adjust seat assignments.
• Use Airport Kiosks or Ticket Counters: If online check-in doesn’t resolve seating issues, speak with an agent at the airport ticket counter. They have access to more seating options and can often make adjustments.
• Arrive Early: Arriving at the airport with ample time allows for discussions with airline staff without feeling rushed.

Airline Family Seating Policies (General Overview)

Airline	Policy Summary	Fees for Seating Together (Children <13)
American Airlines	Free for children under 13 with accompanying adult	Generally no, even for basic economy
Delta Air Lines	Free for children under 13 with accompanying adult	Generally no, even for basic economy
United Airlines	Free for children under 13 with accompanying adult	Generally no, even for basic economy
Southwest Airlines	Open seating, Family Boarding for children 6 & under	N/A (no assigned seats)
Spirit Airlines	May require seat purchase for all passengers	Yes, often required for all passengers
Frontier Airlines	May require seat purchase for all passengers	Yes, often required for all passengers

Navigating Airport and In-Flight Challenges

Despite best efforts, situations can arise where your family is not seated together. Remaining calm and polite can help resolve the situation.

• Speak with the Gate Agent: Before boarding, approach the gate agent. They have the authority to make last-minute seat changes and can often facilitate family seating. Explain your situation clearly and politely.
• Consult Flight Attendants: Once on board, if your family is still separated, speak with a flight attendant. They may be able to ask other passengers if they are willing to swap seats. Flight attendants prioritize safety and will not move passengers if it compromises safety protocols.
• Politely Ask Other Passengers: If a flight attendant cannot assist, you might politely ask other passengers if they would be willing to switch seats. Offer a comparable or better seat if possible. Be prepared for some passengers to decline.

Remember that airline staff are there to ensure a smooth flight for everyone. Approaching them with respect increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Special Considerations for Infants, Young Children, and Child Restraint Systems

Traveling with very young children introduces additional safety and comfort considerations.

• Lap Infants: Children under two years old can typically fly as lap infants, meaning they sit on an adult’s lap without a separate ticket. While this saves money, it is generally considered safer for infants to have their own seat with an approved Child Restraint System (CRS).
• Child Restraint Systems (Car Seats): If you purchase a separate seat for your infant or young child, you can use an approved car seat. The Federal Aviation Administration requires that any Child Restraint System (CRS) used on an aircraft must be explicitly approved for aviation use. Look for labels stating “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”
• Bassinets: Some international flights and larger aircraft offer bassinets for infants, typically for those under a certain weight and height. These must be reserved in advance and are usually attached to bulkhead seats. Availability is limited, so book early.

Always check the specific dimensions and weight limits for car seats and bassinets with your airline before travel. Not all car seats are suitable for all aircraft seats.

Pre-Flight Family Seating Checklist

Action Item	Details	When to Do It
Review Airline Policy	Understand specific rules for children under 13	Before booking tickets
Check DOT Dashboard	Verify airline commitment to free family seating	Before booking tickets
Book Early	Maximize seat availability for adjacent seats	As soon as travel plans are firm
Select Seats During Booking	Choose seats immediately or call airline if issues arise	Immediately after booking
Online Check-in	Confirm or adjust seat assignments	24 hours before flight departure
Arrive Early at Airport	Allows time to speak with ticket counter or gate agents	At least 2-3 hours before departure

What to Do When Seating Together Isn’t Possible

Even with careful planning, there are instances where families might be separated. When this occurs, document the situation. Note the flight number, date, specific seat assignments, and any interactions with airline staff.

If you believe an airline has violated its own stated family seating policy or the DOT’s guidance, you can file a complaint directly with the airline. If the airline’s response is unsatisfactory, or if you feel their policy was not followed, you can then file a complaint with the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This process allows the DOT to track issues and address systemic problems within the industry.

Providing clear, concise details about your experience helps the authorities understand the scope of the problem. This feedback contributes to ongoing efforts to improve family travel standards.