Washington – Sen. Charles Schumer is urging airlines to allow families with young children to sit together without paying extra.
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The New York Democrat is reacting to an Associated Press story last week detailing how families this summer are going to find it harder to sit together without paying fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars over the original ticket price.
“Children need access to their parents and parents need access to their children,” Schumer said in a statement. “Unnecessary airline fees shouldn’t serve as a literal barrier between mother and child.”
Since last year, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines have increased the percent of seats they set aside for elite frequent fliers or customers willing to pay extra. Fees for the seats — on the aisle, next to windows, or with more legroom —vary, but typically cost $25 extra, each way.
Airlines are searching for more ways to raise revenue to offset rising fuel prices. Airfare alone typically doesn’t cover the cost of operating a flight. In the past five years, airlines have added fees for checked baggage, watching TV, skipping security lines and boarding early. Fees for better seats have existed for a few years but have proliferated in the last 12 months.
Schumer is asking Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to issue rules preventing airlines from charging parents more to sit next to kids. He is also asking the industry’s trade group, Airlines for America, to persuade carriers to voluntarily waive the fee for families.
“A parent should not have to pay a premium to supervise and protect their child on an airplane,” Schumer wrote in a letter expected to be sent Sunday to Nicholas E. Calio, the trade group’s president.
The airlines say they try to keep parents and young children together. Gate agents will often ask passengers to voluntarily swap seats but airlines say they can’t guarantee adjacent seats unless families book early or pay extra for the preferred seats.
Airlines have resisted past efforts by the government to further regulate them. Their argument: The cost associated with new rules would cripple an industry already struggling with thin profit margins.
Two years ago, Schumer got five big airlines to pledge that they wouldn’t charge passengers to stow carry-on bags in overhead bins. The promise came after Spirit Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to levy such a fee.
If the airlines want to separate me from my kids so be it. I hope the Elite passengers sitting next to my whining 2 year old enjoy their flight.
um chuck did you know the port authority charges 12 dollars to go over a bridge where else is there such a toll dont throw rocks in a glass house
If you are travelling with kids, book far enough in advance to get seating together or otherwise expect to pay for the privilege like everyone else who wants to sit in a specific location. Why should the airlines forego the ability to sell premium aisle seat in order to subidize some family with 3 or 4 kids who want to occupy an entire row. I’ve actually seen parents with 4 or 5 kids show up at the gate and somehow expect to agent to move around other passengers so that they can sit together, and get upset when the agent advises that its not an option. Flights today are generally booked to capacity and most passengers who book early enough or pay more for aisle or window seats are not going to move.
have you tried to book a seat in advance lately? sometimes they’ll allow you to see a picture of the plane with the seats, available and otherwise, but you can’t click on it, and if you call, they’ll tell you you have to book them at the gate.
The airlines are doing themselves in with all their added fees for this and for that. That’s why they’re struggling, less people are flying. If they’d give back no fee luggage and all other previously free “amenities” their business would pick up I’m sure of that. Just a few years ago, I went to Eretz Yisroel with two 70 lb. suitcases and the airline gave everyone warm moist towelettes to wash up with before the meal and after rest period, and they gave everyone eye shades and ear plugs. Now you get nothing. I hear they want to start charging for pillows, blankets and drinks. You aren’t allowed to bring drinks on board and they want to charge for them?!?! Someone told me they’re going to charge for oxygen if you need it or they’ll give you only half a seat belt and you’ll have to pay for the other half. Are they going totally meshuge or what?