Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) is urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate and address the issue of airlines charging parents junk fees just to sit next to their children on flights. Schumer said that this practice is unacceptable and should be stopped.
“With record Thanksgiving travel expected this year across America, it is unacceptable that airlines would charge extra $$$ just to sit with their kids,” said Schumer in a statement. “Parents should not have to pay a premium to supervise and protect their child on an airplane.”
Schumer said that airlines should be required to provide free seating for children under the age of 13 who are traveling with an adult. He also said that airlines should be banned from charging fees for parents to change seat assignments so that they can sit next to their children.
“Airlines are making billions of dollars every year,” Schumer said. “They can afford to do the right thing and provide free seating for children.”
Schumer’s call for action comes as airlines are facing increasing scrutiny for their fees. In recent months, the FAA has been investigating a number of airlines for charging unfair and deceptive fees.
Senator Schumer (D-NY) has been a vocal critic of airlines’ practice of charging fees for basic services, such as checking bags and choosing seats. In 2017, he introduced the “Families Fly Together Act,” which would require airlines to allow families with children under 13 to sit together without having to pay an extra fee.
The bill has been passed by the House of Representatives, but it has stalled in the Senate. Schumer has been urging his colleagues to pass the bill, saying that it is “common sense” that families should be able to sit together on flights without having to pay extra.
“This is a simple issue,” Schumer said. “Families should not have to pay extra to sit together on flights. It’s just common sense.”
The Families Fly Together Act would require airlines to allow families with children under 13 to sit together without having to pay an extra fee. It would also provide families with the option of choosing seats together during the booking process and also reimburse families who are forced to pay extra to sit together.
Schumer has said that he is confident that the Families Fly Together Act will eventually be passed into law. He has also called on airlines to voluntarily adopt the bill’s provisions, saying that it is the “right thing to do.”
As the holiday travel season approaches, Senator Schumer (D-NY) is calling on airlines to make traveling with families less turbulent by creating fee-free family seating. Schumer said that many airlines currently charge families extra fees to sit together, which can make traveling with children even more expensive and stressful.
“It’s time for airlines to stop nickel-and-diming families and create fee-free family seating,” Schumer said in a statement. “Traveling with children is already stressful enough without having to worry about paying extra fees to sit together.”
Schumer said that airlines should follow the lead of Southwest Airlines, which does not charge fees for families to sit together. He also said that the FAA should do more to regulate airlines’ fees.
“The FAA should take action to stop airlines from charging excessive fees for basic services, such as checking bags and choosing seats,” Schumer said. “Families deserve better.”
Schumer’s call for action comes as the holiday travel season is expected to be one of the busiest in years. Airlines are already expecting to see a surge in passengers, and Schumer is worried that families will be hit hard by extra fees.
“I urge all airlines to follow Southwest Airlines’ lead and create fee-free family seating,” Schumer said. “It’s the right thing to do for families.”
If you are traveling with children this holiday season, be sure to check with your airline about their family seating policies. You may be able to avoid paying extra fees by booking your tickets in advance or choosing seats during the check-in process.
