Reply to In the near future, airlines will be required to seat children (ages 13 and under) next to an accompanying adult (with s

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]6. When there are no adjacent seats available on a particular flight, the airline will suggest that the family consider a later flight where adjacent seats are available. At least under the proposed rule, airlines are not required to move people who already have a seat assignment.[/quote]

So will the software inform families of this prior to booking? Ie: Don't book this flight - we can't seat you with your child?[/quote]

It is the view of the airlines that families (with children ages 13 and under) are taking a risk when they book a flight that does not have adjacent seats available. Having said that, the airline still will make an effort to help the family.  Sometimes passengers will even proactively offer to move to help a family even without the flight attendant asking.  Per Southwest flight attendants that I know (an airline that has open seating now but is switching to assigned seating in 2026), it almost always works out that some pax are willing to help out a family by moving.[/quote]

But how is this any different from what is happening now? It doesn’t seem like this is anything new.[/quote]

OP here.  What's new is that, if there are adjacent seats available, the airline will be required to seat the 13-and-under child next to the accompanying adult age 14-and-over, without charging seat fees.  At this time, there is no such requirement.  Airlines view this is a major change.  [/quote]

It is a major change— and a good one.

This is how it’s done in countries that actually have consumer protections. It’s shocking how poorly American passengers are treated in comparison to other countries— and yet passengers turn around and blame other passengers for the horrible experience that is flying here. [/quote]

Not really. They only have to “try.” It’s still dependent on availability of free seats together. They can’t move anyone who has an assigned seat.
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