Summary
- No legal protection for family seating — most regions have zero enforceable rules requiring airlines to seat families together.
- Most airlines don’t guarantee family seating — only a handful of carriers worldwide promise that.
- Many carriers require paying for seats — factor seat fees into total cost.
- Aircraft type matters more than airline — 2-4-2 configurations make family seating easy; avoid cramped 3-4-3 layouts.
- Book everyone on same reservation early — purchase 3-6 months ahead with one booking reference to maximize seat selection options.
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Family seating rules on planes
Picture this: You’re boarding your 15-hour flight to Singapore, kids in tow. You glance at your boarding passes and your stomach drops. Your 4-year-old is in row 32. You’re in row 18. Your partner is somewhere in row 45.
This nightmare scenario happens more often than airlines want you to know. But here’s the good news: armed with the right information, you can virtually guarantee your family sits together—often without paying a cent in extra fees.
This guide reveals everything families need to know about securing seats together on flights to Asia Pacific. We’ll walk you through new regulations, decode airline policies across 30+ carriers, show you which aircraft configurations work best for families, and give you the exact steps to take if things go wrong.
Why family seating is harder than it should be
Here’s a frustrating fact: until , exactly zero US airlines guaranteed free family seating.
Parents faced an impossible choice every time they booked. Pay $20-50 per seat (each way) to sit with your kids, or cross your fingers and hope gate agents would fix scattered assignments at the last minute.
The current state of US family seating
Fast forward to today, and just six of the ten major US carriers guarantee families can sit together at no extra cost—according to the US Department of Transportation’s Family Seating Dashboard:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue
- United Airlines
Outside the US? Good luck
Step outside US borders and things get murky fast.
In the European Union, there’s no binding law requiring airlines to seat families together. None. The European Parliament raised concerns in about low-cost carriers deliberately scattering family bookings to pressure seat fee purchases. But actual regulations? Still waiting.
The United Kingdom isn’t much better. The Civil Aviation Authority recommends airlines seat children under 12 in the same row or one row away from adults. But here’s the catch—it’s guidance, not law. Airlines can ignore it without penalty.
Australia follows a similar playbook. CASA suggests keeping families together but offers zero enforcement teeth.
The good news: change is coming
The US Department of Transportation proposed a rule in that could change everything. If finalized, it would require airlines to seat children aged 13 and under adjacent to accompanying adults at no extra cost—whenever adjacent seats are available from booking through boarding.
Can’t provide adjacent seating? Airlines must offer passengers either a full refund or free rebooking to the next available flight.
This rule only applies to US and foreign carriers on routes touching US airports. Flying London to Hong Kong? Sydney to Singapore? You’re still navigating a patchwork of voluntary airline policies and goodwill.
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Your rights depend on the departure region
Here’s something most families don’t realize: your rights change based on where your journey begins, not where it ends. Flying from New York to Singapore? Different rules than Sydney to Singapore.
Let’s break down what protection you actually have.
Flying from United States
Current status: the DOT proposed a family seating rule in August 2024, but it hasn’t become law. The Trump administration, which took office in January 2025, may not move it forward. Here’s what was proposed and what you can actually count on today.
What the proposed rule would require
- Children aged 13 and under must sit next to at least one adult
- “Next to” means same row, no aisle separation
- No extra fees beyond the ticket price
- Rule applies when seats are available anytime from booking to boarding
- If no adjacent seats exist, airlines must offer a full refund or free rebooking
What this means for your trip right now
Since there’s no federal rule, you’re relying on individual airline policies. Some carriers voluntarily guarantee family seating. Others don’t.
- US carrier, any route: Depends on that airline’s policy
- Foreign carrier on US route: Depends on that airline’s policy
- Foreign carrier, no US touchpoint: Depends on that airline’s policy
Important things to know
- Airlines can only seat you together if adjacent seats physically exist for your group size
- Traveling with four kids when only single seats are left? The airline can’t create seats that don’t exist
- Basic Economy treatment varies by airline—some guarantee family seating, others don’t
Bottom line
Until a federal rule passes, check your specific airline’s family seating policy before booking. Don’t assume anything.
Table 1. Key carriers for North America to APAC routes. Family seating policies.
| Airline | Key policy notes | Risk level/Practical tips |
|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | Formal guarantee
United guarantees children under 12 will be seated with one adult for free (even Basic Economy). Family of 4: two seats guaranteed together; other two require payment or gate agent help. |
🟢 Lower risk (for under-12 + 1 adult)
|
| Delta Air Lines | No formal guarantee
No explicit family seating guarantee. Basic Economy gets seat assignments at check-in (too late for families). Other fare classes allow advance selection. |
🔴 Moderate-high risk
|
| American Airlines | Formal guarantee
American guarantees children under 15 will be seated next to at least one adult—works with all fare types, including Basic Economy. System auto-detects and assigns families together. |
🟢 Low risk
|
| Hawaiian Airlines | Formal guarantee
Hawaiian is listed among US carriers offering family seating guarantees. Standard US DOT consumer protections apply for families. |
🟢 Lower risk
|
| Japan Airlines | Best-effort
Known for family-friendly service. Advance seat selection typically available for paid fares. English website doesn’t spell out explicit family seating policy. |
🟢 Better risk
|
| ANA | Best-effort
Similar to JAL—family-friendly with advance seat selection for paid fares. No explicit guarantee published in English on website. |
🟢 Better risk
|
| Korean Air | Best-effort
Provides advance seat assignments for groups on same reservation. Policy doesn’t explicitly promise adjacent seats; verification needed. |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
Flying from Europe and UK
Despite being home to some of the world’s strictest consumer protection laws, the EU has no binding regulation requiring airlines to seat families together. Instead, you’re dealing with a patchwork of individual airline policies and one notable exception: Italy.
The European Parliament raised the issue in , calling for standardization after evidence showed low-cost carriers deliberately scatter family bookings to pressure seat fee purchases. But no legislation has passed as of . Approximately 70% of European carriers still charge seat selection fees ranging from €3-50 per seat.
Italy: the exception
Italy stands alone with enforceable family seating protection. Since , all airlines operating in Italy must seat children aged 2-12 next to parents at no extra cost. When side-by-side seats aren’t available, children must be in the same row or no more than one row away.
New ENAC regulation: no surcharge on airline seats for children and disabled persons. Airlines that don’t comply face fines between €10,000-€50,000.
UK: guidelines, not laws
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidance reads like a polite suggestion: “Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults.”
Notice the word “should.” That’s because this guidance carries exactly zero legal weight. Airlines “should make all reasonable efforts” but face no penalties for failing to do so. It’s the regulatory equivalent of a strongly worded letter.
European budget airlines
Many European low-cost carriers either charge for family seating or make no guarantees you’ll sit together. Here’s what major budget airlines do:
- Ryanair: At least one adult must pay for a seat reservation. Then up to four children can sit with that adult.
- easyJet: Their system tries to seat families together, but they can only guarantee children under 12 will be seated “close” to an adult—possibly across the aisle or one row away.
- Wizz Air: Says they will seat children with an adult without payment.
Airlines with guarantees
Some European carriers do guarantee family seating:
- British Airways: Guarantees all children under 12 will be seated with an accompanying adult, though you may be in adjacent rows or across the aisle rather than side-by-side.
- Jet2: Always tries to seat children under 12 next to adults, with children no more than one row away if that’s not possible.
Which? consumer research found that 90-93% of passengers who didn’t pay for seat selection still ended up seated with their travel companions on these airlines.
Bottom line
Unless you’re flying to/from/within Italy, you have no legal protection for family seating in Europe or the UK. Check your airline’s specific policy before booking, and consider paying for seat selection if sitting together is non-negotiable.
Table 2. Key carriers for EU/UK to APAC routes. Family seating policies.
| Airline | Key policy notes & caveats | Practical tips / risk level |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Formal commitment
Guarantees children under 12 will be seated with accompanying adult. May be adjacent rows or across aisle rather than side-by-side. Free for Executive Club members. |
🟢 Lower risk
|
| Lufthansa | Best-effort
Will make efforts to seat families together. Generally charges for advance seat selection; free seating becomes available closer to departure (24-48 hours) or at check-in. Policies vary by fare type. |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
| Air France | Best-effort No explicit guarantee. Advance seat selection available on most fare types. System attempts to keep bookings together. |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
| Singapore Airlines | Partial guarantee / favorable policy
Families with children under 12 in same booking can select standard seats for free (first-come, first-served). Some premium seats blocked until 96 hours before departure for elite members, then released to all passengers. |
🟢 Lower risk
|
| Emirates | Best-effort
States it will “always aim” to seat families together; children under 13 “will always” be seated with accompanying adult. Free seat selection available when traveling with infant under 2 for entire booking. |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
| Qatar Airways | Best-effort
When traveling with infant, free seat selection offered for everyone in booking. Children 12 and older treated as adults for seating purposes (may be seated separately). Under 12 cutoff for family seating accommodation. |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
Flying from Australia
Here’s the hard truth: neither Australia nor New Zealand has laws requiring airlines to seat families together. You’re relying entirely on individual airline policies—and these vary wildly.
Australia’s aviation authority offers vague guidance. They say airlines should aim
to seat families together. But there’s no enforcement. Australia proposed a law in (Airline Passenger Protections Act). It would require airlines to seat children under 14 with parents at no extra cost. As of , it still hasn’t passed.
New Zealand’s authority? They haven’t issued any guidelines at all.
The good news is that most long-haul flights use foreign carriers (Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways), which means Australian regulations don’t apply. You’re subject to those carriers’ policies instead.
The one exception: Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia explicitly guarantees you and your children will always be seated together. Every child under 12 will sit with an adult from your group. This applies to all fare types, even the cheapest Economy Lite
. It’s the only reliable guarantee in the region.
Bottom line
Fly Virgin Australia for guaranteed family seating. For Asian destinations, prioritize carriers with explicit family seating policies (Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines) over those without, especially if traveling with children under 6. Alternatively, budget for seat selection fees or accept separation risk. Don’t wait for the proposed Australian law—there’s no sign it will pass soon.
Tip
If budget carrier base fare plus fees exceeds 85% of full-service carrier pricing, wait for a full-service deal. Trust us—your sanity is worth the wait. Set alerts for carriers where Singapore Airlines, ANA, JAL, or Cathay Pacific historically undercut budget total costs.
Table 3. Key carriers for Australasia to APAC routes. Family seating policies.
| Airline | Key policy notes & caveats | Practical tips / risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Qantas | Best-effort
No explicit family seating guarantee. Policy focuses on bassinet logistics (available on A330 aircraft for domestic flights only, requested at check-in). Operational practice generally accommodates families when possible, but no enforceable commitment. |
🔴 Moderate-high risk
|
| Virgin Australia | No strong public guarantee
Similar to Qantas—no stated guarantee. Operational practice generally accommodates families when possible, but no formal policy commitment published. |
🔴 Moderate-high risk
|
| Air New Zealand | No guarantee (except Canada routes)
Canadian routes have mandated family seating per Canadian law. All other routes: no guarantee. Seat selection fees apply to most fare types (USD 5-105+ depending on route/seat type). |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
| Jetstar | Best effort (unreliable)
“We do our best… but can’t guarantee you’ll be all together.” Starter fares charge $5-45+ AUD for seat selection. Consumer complaints document separations despite policy claiming to seat young children with parents. |
🔴 High risk
|
| Cathay Pacific | Best-effort
Children under 6 must be in same cabin as adult. Children 6-12 can be in different cabin (not recommended). Free seat selection varies by fare class. |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
| Malaysia Airlines / Thai Airways | Best-effort
Most long-haul flights from Australia use foreign carriers. These carriers don’t publish detailed family seating policies. Australian regulations don’t apply—subject to carrier’s own policies. |
🔴 Moderate-high risk
|
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Flying across Asia
Flying within Asia? Here’s the reality: there are no rules requiring airlines to seat families together. None. Whether you’re flying through Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, or Sydney, you’re relying entirely on individual airline policies.
This creates wild inconsistency. Two carriers flying the same route might have completely opposite approaches—one offering free family seating, the other charging fees with zero guarantees.
Budget vs. full-service: the clear divide
The pattern across Asia is straightforward.
Budget carriers all work the same way. AirAsia, Scoot, Jetstar, VietJet, Peach—they operate on pay-to-select models. No payment means random seat assignment with no promise your family stays together. These airlines often say they “try” to keep families together, but separation happens regularly. Seat fees typically run $3–50 per person per flight segment.
Full-service carriers generally let you select seats in advance, and most will accommodate families on the same booking. But here’s the catch: few publish explicit family seating guarantees. You’re often relying on operational practice rather than written policy. The exception is Singapore Airlines, which clearly offers free standard seats for families with kids under 12
.
What you should do
Without regulatory protection, you need to be proactive. Choose carriers with explicit family policies when possible. Book everyone on the same reservation early. Select your seats immediately. For carriers without clear policies, call customer service after booking to confirm arrangements and get a reference number.
For budget carriers, assume you’ll need to pay for seats. Add those fees to the base fare before comparing prices—you might find a full-service carrier with free family seating actually costs less once you factor in all the extras.
Table 4. Intra-Asia / Asia-Pacific regional carriers. Family seating policies
| Airline | Key policy notes & caveats | Practical tips / risk level |
|---|---|---|
| AirAsia | No guarantee
Budget carrier with pay-to-select seat model. System allegedly “aims” to seat families together in random assignment, but company data shows separation still happens regularly. Lap infant fee: S$25 flat rate. Typical seat fees: $8-20 standard, $20-50 for hot seats. |
🔴 High risk
|
| Scoot | Likely no guarantee
Budget carrier (Singapore-based). Boeing 787-8/9 with 3-3-3 economy. Must pay for seat selection—no automatic family assignment. Standard seats: S$12-25 per segment; extra legroom: S$30-50. Lap infant fee: S$55 flat rate for all international flights. |
🔴 High risk
|
| Thai Airways | Likely no guarantee
Full-service carrier. Detailed family seating policies not extensively published. Advance seat selection typically available for paid fares. |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
| EVA Air / China Airlines | Likely no guarantee
These carriers don’t publish detailed family seating policies in English on their websites. Advance seat selection typically available but policies unclear. |
🟠 Moderate risk
|
How to guarantee your family sits together
Generic advice like “book early” isn’t enough. You need specifics. Here’s your step-by-step playbook for ensuring your family ends up in adjacent seats, not scattered across the aircraft like puzzle pieces.
Before you book
Strategy 1: Filter by guarantee status
Start by identifying which carriers on your route actually guarantee family seating. This isn’t about reading marketing fluff—it’s about finding binding policies.
Let’s say you’re booking SFO-Singapore. Your options might include:
- United (guarantee for under-12 + 1 adult).
- Singapore Airlines (free standard seats for families with under-12).
- Budget options like Scoot (no guarantee).
Decision time: If peace of mind matters more than saving $100-200, book United or Singapore Airlines. If you’re comfortable gambling for savings, consider the budget route—but go in with eyes wide open.
Strategy 2: Check the aircraft type
Here’s something most families don’t consider: not all planes are created equal. Seat configuration matters enormously for families.
- Best case: 2-4-2 layouts (Boeing 787 Dreamliner on some routes). Easy to get two-seat pairs for parent + child on window side. Middle section works perfectly for family of 4.
- Good case: 3-3-3 layouts (Airbus A350-900, standard config). Book window + aisle in a three-seat block (seats A and C), leave middle seat B empty. If it stays empty, bonus space. If someone’s assigned there, politely offer them your aisle seat so your family of 3 sits together. Most passengers jump at this trade.
- Avoid when possible: 3-4-3 layouts (Boeing 777-300ER older configurations). Ten seats across means each seat is narrower (~17″ vs 18-19″). The four-seat middle section creates isolation. Splitting a family across a 3+4 block means someone’s stuck alone.
Strategy 3: Book early, same reservation
This cannot be overstated, so we’ll say it again: all family seating policies require everyone to be on the same reservation (same booking reference/PNR).
Book 3-6 months in advance when seat maps are wide open. Never split bookings (parents on one reservation, kids on another) unless absolutely necessary—this breaks the “family” link in airline systems and you’re toast.
Most airlines release seats approximately 330 days out. Budget carriers may release closer to departure (30-90 days), which makes early booking even more critical.
Direct airline booking vs. OTAs
Here’s the truth about third-party booking sites: they can save you money, but they often complicate family seating. Let’s break down why booking channel actually matters.
Direct booking advantages
When you book on United.com or SingaporeAir.com, you see family seating options right during checkout. The airline’s system recognizes your booking as “family” and can auto-assign accordingly. Customer service is easier to reach. You can manage seat selection post-booking through the airline website or app without jumping through hoops.
OTA booking disadvantages
Often, OTA (Expedia, Booking.com, Kayak, etc.) checkout pages don’t display seat maps until after you’ve completed purchase—too late to make informed decisions. You may need to visit the airline site separately to select seats (extra steps that waste time). Some OTAs charge additional fees for seat selection services on top of what the airline charges.
Here’s the kicker: the airline may not recognize your booking as “family” if made via OTA, especially if the OTA creates multiple booking references for your single family.
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At check-in
Online check-in (T-24 hours)
Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. This is when seat maps often update and previously blocked seats magically appear. It’s worth setting an alarm.
Set a reminder for exactly 24 hours before departure (seriously, put it in your phone right now). Check in immediately and review the seat map carefully. If your family is still separated, try selecting different seats—some may have opened up from the “blocked for elite members” category.
If still no adjacent options exist, immediately contact the airline via phone or chat before going to airport. Don’t wait.
Airport check-in strategy
Arrive early—minimum 3 hours for international flights. Gate agents have the most flexibility to reassign seats, but they need time to work their magic.
If the flight isn’t completely full, agents also can shuffle passengers around. They may ask other passengers if they’re willing to switch. Sometimes agents will reseat people in less desirable seats (further back, middle seats) to create a block of 3-4 together for your family. It’s not ideal for those passengers, but families with young children usually get priority.
Aircraft configurations: which planes are family-friendly
The aircraft operating your flight matters as much as the airline itself. Some planes are designed (accidentally or otherwise) to make family seating easy. Others feel like they were configured by someone who’s never traveled with children.
Here’s how to spot the difference and understand seat layouts.
2-4-2 configuration (the family dream)
This is the holy grail of family-friendly configurations. Window sections have 2-seat pairs perfect for parent + child. Center section has 4 seats ideal for family of 4. No one gets stuck in a solo middle seat away from family.
Found on: Boeing 787 Dreamliner (some airlines).
3-3-3 configuration (pretty good for most)
This is the most common widebody layout and it works reasonably well for families if you’re strategic.
- Family of 3: Book A-B-C (window, middle, aisle) in one row. Done.
- Family of 4: Book rows directly front/back (30ABC + 31ABC), or two aisles across from each other (30C + 30H) so parents can supervise across the aisle.
- Family of 2 (parent + child) – the trick: Book window + aisle (A + C), intentionally leave middle (B) empty. If someone gets assigned the middle, offer them your aisle seat. Most passengers happily take an aisle over a middle, and suddenly you and your child are sitting together.
Found on: Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-200ER (some configurations).
3-4-3 configuration (avoid if possible)
This layout is where things get messy. Ten seats across means each seat is narrower—about 17″ compared to 18-19″ in other configs. The middle section has 4 seats (DEFG), which isolates anyone not in that exact block. Families of 3 must split 2-1 or hope for adjacent threes (ABC or HJK).
Mitigation strategies:
- Family of 4: Book the center section DEFG if available.
- Family of 3: Book ABC or HJK if available, or resign yourself to front/back rows with one parent solo.
- Family of 5-6: This configuration makes it very difficult—you’ll likely split across rows regardless.
Found on: Boeing 777-300ER (high-density configs), Boeing 787-9 (some airlines)
How to check aircraft type? Your airline website usually shows aircraft type on the flight selection page (look for “Boeing 787-9” or similar). You can also use SeatGuru.com—enter your flight number and see the exact seat map with configuration. Or, use Google Flights—it shows aircraft type in results under “flight details.”
Exit row: no children allowed
Children are prohibited from sitting in exit rows on all airlines. These seats require able-bodied adults who can assist during emergency evacuations.
Age restrictions vary by region. The US FAA prohibits anyone under 15, while most airlines worldwide set the limit at under 12 or 15.
Exit rows offer extra legroom but are off-limits when traveling with kids. Airline systems should automatically block minors from these seats. Don’t try booking in an adult’s name—gate agents will catch it and reassign you, possibly to less desirable seats.
If you accidentally select an exit row, contact the airline immediately to change.
Cost analysis: when paying for seats makes sense
Let’s talk money. When should you pay for seat selection, and when should you roll the dice? Here’s the honest breakdown with real numbers.
US carriers (one-way pricing)
United and American offer free Main Cabin seat selection at booking. Want extra legroom? That’ll cost you $40-90 per person per leg. Basic Economy used to be a gamble, but both airlines now auto-pair families with kids under 15 at no charge.
Delta follows the same pattern. Main Cabin is free except for Basic Economy passengers, who get assigned at check-in (too late to fix problems). Comfort+ with extra legroom and perks runs $60-120.
Asia-Pacific carriers
Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer free standard seats for families with children under 12. Premium seat selection costs $30-150 per leg depending on the route and specific seat.
Budget carriers
Scoot charges $8-25 for standard seats, $20-50 for extra legroom. AirAsia X is similar at $8-20 standard, $20-50 for premium positions. On a Singapore-Melbourne flight, expect to pay about $15 for a standard seat or $35 for extra legroom.
Here’s the reality: on long-haul flights with young children, paying $75-100 per person to guarantee seats together is usually worth it. That’s about the same cost as checking a bag or buying priority boarding—but it buys you something more valuable: peace of mind.
Between $100-200 per person? This depends on your budget and risk tolerance. Consider the flight length, your children’s ages, and how comfortable you are with uncertainty.
Over $200 per person? Pause and evaluate. Are you getting other meaningful benefits like better service, more comfortable seats, or superior routing? If not, keep looking for a better deal.
Premium economy: family value proposition
Premium economy might sound like a luxury, but for families with young kids on long flights, it’s often a strategic investment in sanity.
You get 6-8 inches more legroom ($38-40$ versus $31-32$), wider seats, two checked bags instead of one, better meals, priority boarding, and in-seat power. Most importantly, your kids can move without kicking the seat in front.
When premium economy makes sense?
- Flights over 10 hours with children under 8.
- When you were already planning to pay for extra legroom in economy.
- When sale prices bring premium within $300-500 of economy.
- When standard economy would require paying for seat selection anyway.
Skip it on short flights under 5 hours, with older teens who don’t mind standard seats, or when premium costs double the economy fare with no real added benefits.
Complaints & enforcement: what to do if your family gets separated
Despite your best efforts, sometimes families still get separated. Here’s how to fight back and get compensated.
Don’t waste time on every minor inconvenience. File a formal complaint when:
- The airline’s policy explicitly promised family seating but failed to deliver.
- You paid for seat selection but were still separated.
- Your request for reassignment was denied without valid reason.
- A child under 6 was seated far from adults (major safety concern).
- The airline swapped aircraft and didn’t accommodate your family in the reassignment.
United States (DOT)
File at www.transportation.gov within 60 days. Include your flight details, booking reference, and screenshots showing your original seat selection, check-in assignments, and final boarding passes. Grab a screenshot of the airline’s family seating policy from their website with the date you accessed it.
Keep your complaint factual and chronological. Explain what happened and how it violated their stated policy. Be specific about what you want—whether that’s a seat fee refund, fare difference refund, or flight voucher. The DOT forwards complaints to airlines within days, and they have 30 days to respond.
United Kingdom (CAA)
The CAA doesn’t resolve individual complaints but tracks them for data. File with the airline first using their complaint form. If you’re unhappy with their response, most UK airlines participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) schemes where you can escalate.
European Union
Contact your national aviation authority or use the EU Consumer Protection portal at ec.europa.eu. No EU-wide family seating law means limited enforcement, but your complaint creates a data trail that could lead to future regulation.
Australia (ACCC)
File with the airline first, then report to the ACCC at accc.gov.au. The ACCC investigates systemic issues and can take enforcement action if many families complain about the same practice.
The US has no mandated family seating compensation yet (as of ). The proposed DOT rule would require refunds or free rebooking, but it’s not finalized. Current compensation is discretionary.
The EU, UK, and Australia don’t mandate compensation either. EU261 covers denied boarding but not family seating. Your best bet everywhere is airline goodwill and complaint pressure.
What compensation you can actually get? Realistic requests:
- Seat selection fee refunds if you paid specifically to sit together.
- Flight vouchers of $100-300 (airlines often provide these as goodwill).
- Bonus miles (5,000-15,000 range for frequent flyers).
- Complimentary upgrade certificate for future travel.
- Free rebooking to the next flight if you catch the problem before departure.
Does this actually work?
Based on traveler reports, about 60-70% of properly documented complaints result in some compensation, even when not legally required. Airlines want to avoid bad publicity and regulatory scrutiny. Your complaint matters more than you think.
Questions? Answers.
Can airlines legally separate my child from me on a plane?
In the US, four airlines voluntarily guarantee family seating (Alaska, American, Frontier, JetBlue), and a proposed DOT rule expected in would require all carriers to seat children 13 and under next to adults at no extra cost. In the EU, UK, and Australia, there’s no law preventing separation—airlines can and sometimes do split up families, especially if you don’t pay for seat selection.
What does “adjacent” mean—can my child be across the aisle?
If the US DOT rule passes as proposed, adjacent means same row with no aisle separation (seats A and B yes, seats A and C across the aisle no). Until then, airline policies vary—some accept “within one row” or “across the aisle” as together.
Can I skip seat selection and rely on the gate agent to seat us together?
It’s risky—UK survey data shows 90-93% of passengers got seated together without paying, but that means 7-10% were separated. If being split up would ruin your trip, don’t gamble on gate agent availability or willingness to help.
What if my airline switches aircraft and our seats no longer exist?
The airline should reassign you to equivalent seats on the new aircraft—if they scatter your family, contact them immediately and explain the situation. Gate agents should prioritize fixing equipment-swap issues since it’s the airline’s operational change, not your fault.
Can I get a refund if separated despite airline policy?
Under the proposed DOT rule, airlines would have to offer refunds or free rebooking if adjacent seats are unavailable. Currently, document everything and file complaints with both the airline and DOT (for US routes), requesting seat fee refunds and compensation—many airlines issue $100-300 goodwill vouchers to avoid bad publicity.
Can I switch seats with another passenger after boarding?
Yes, if both parties agree—be polite, offer an equivalent or better seat (like trading aisle for aisle or your aisle for their middle), and ask early before takeoff. Flight attendants can facilitate but cannot force anyone to move, and passengers have every right to refuse.
