The U.S. Department of Transportation has unveiled a new rule aimed at preventing airlines from charging extra fees for parents to sit with their young children during flights. The proposal states that U.S. and foreign airlines would be required to seat children aged 13 or younger next to their parent or guardian without any additional charges.

Under the proposed rule, airlines must offer complimentary seating for children and parents at the time of booking. However, if seats are not available initially, airlines will be obligated to provide a full refund or allow families to wait until adjacent seats become available. Additionally, if seats are still unavailable by the time boarding commences, airlines must offer free rebooking on the next flight that has adjacent seating options.

According to estimates, this new rule could save a family of four up to $200 in seat fees for a round trip. The proposal is part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, a legislation signed by President Joe Biden in May. This act not only aims to eliminate the charging of extra fees for seating arrangements but also includes increased penalties for airlines that violate consumer laws. Furthermore, it mandates the creation of a "dashboard" for passengers to compare seat sizes across different airlines.

Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the head of the Department of Transportation, highlighted that airlines like Alaska, American, Frontier, and JetBlue already offer complimentary adjacent seating for children aged 13 and under. The public now has the opportunity to provide their feedback on this proposal, as comments will be accepted for the next 60 days.

This new law comes at a time when the Biden administration is actively working to eliminate what they call "junk fees" in the airline industry. In April, a rule was implemented requiring airlines to provide automatic refunds for canceled or delayed flights, a move that has faced legal challenges from airlines.

Secretary Buttigieg expressed confidence in the proposed rule, emphasizing that it is firmly supported by Congressional authority. He also noted that the intention behind this regulation is to alleviate the stress that parents often experience when flying with children.

As this proposal enters the public comment phase, it is expected that further discussions and considerations will shape the final rule. With the aim of ensuring a more convenient and affordable air travel experience for families, the U.S. Department of Transportation looks forward to receiving valuable input from the public during this period.