Biden administration calls on airlines to seat families together for free
The Biden administration has a message for airlines: seat families together for free on flights.
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday sent a notice to airlines urging them to adopt policies that minimize the chances that families get separated on planes. Starting in November, DOT will monitor airline seating policies and might respond with new regulations.
While DOT acknowledges that it receives relatively small numbers of consumer complaints about airline seating, it felt it should act because "even one complaint is significant for the impacted travelers," the notice to airlines said.
A 2016 law — the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act — gives DOT the power to regulate family seating, "if appropriate." While DOT deemed that regulation unnecessary at the time, it appears that the department is open to giving that another look.
The notice makes multiple suggestions for airlines to better accommodate families: allow free seat reservations at booking for families with children 13 and under, allow families to board early if the airline uses an open seating policy or block seats for use by families.
Airlines have increasingly profited off of seat selection fees in recent years. Even the three U.S. network carriers — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines — all charge extra for "preferred" seating that offers no additional legroom or benefits, just a seat that is closer to the front of the plane or a non-middle seat.
Southwest Airlines — the only major U.S. airline to use an open seating policy — allows families with children six and under to board after the first — or "A" — boarding group boards, significantly younger than the age 13 cut-off that the DOT seeks.
Other airlines, such as Breeze Airways, have specific family seating policies. Breeze's policy allows for free seat selection for children between 2 and 12 and two adults.
Related: Don't leave it to chance: How to make sure your family sits together on a plane
The law prevents DOT from forcing airlines to upgrade families to extra-legroom seats or to a higher class of service in order to seat them together.
Also on Friday, the DOT released its first-ever bill of rights for passengers with disabilities. The document is a summation of federal regulations that protect disabled passengers or those who need assistance, including the right to assistance at airports and on flights. The document starts off with a basic, fundamental right: the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
"Today's announcements are the latest steps toward ensuring an air travel system that works for everyone," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "Whether you're a parent expecting to sit together with your young children on a flight, a traveler with a disability navigating air travel, or a consumer traveling by air for the first time in a while, you deserve safe, accessible, affordable, and reliable airline service."
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees