The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed a new rule prohibiting airlines from charging for seating families with young children together if adjacent seats are available at the time of booking. This initiative aims to enhance passenger comfort and prevent additional costs for families.

Earlier this year, the Biden administration expressed its intention to introduce such rules following pressure on airlines to eliminate fees for family seating. In May, Congress passed and President Biden signed a law that already bans this practice.

President Biden has also been actively advocating for stronger consumer protections, criticizing airlines for extra fees and blocking further consolidation in the industry. Recently, the Department of Transportation launched a special panel to track which airlines guarantee free family seating, including Alaska Airlines, American, Frontier, and JetBlue.

If family seating is unavailable, the proposed rules require airlines to seat children across the aisle from their parents. Passengers will be entitled to a refund or free rebooking if the desired seats are not provided. Sanctions are also planned for non-compliance with these new requirements.

Additionally, the government is considering new rules concerning compensation for flight delays and cancellations, although no proposal has been released yet.