In what might set the standard for domestic airline seat policies, unified airlineone of the Big Three, has announced a new policy for families to sit together for free with children under 12 in certain cabins, regardless of fare type.
Starting early next month, United’s new “dynamic seat map feature” will allow passengers to book two seats together for passengers under the age of 12 and one accompanying adult in the group for free on economy class tickets. economy, including basic economy fares. It does not apply to Polaris, First Class or Economy Plus tickets.
This is a major change to United’s current policy, raising questions about whether other airlines will follow suit, especially after Southwest Airlines Family Boarding Policy Expansion in January to allow families to board with children under 13 on certain flights.
In spite of Southwest do not provide assigned seats due to numbered boarding process, most airlines charge travelers to choose their seats before flying with certain types of fare, namely economy class copy.
However, even if your fare category includes a free selection of seats, securing multiple seats together depends on many factors and is therefore not guaranteed and is even more unlikely when you are a single passenger. Families are looking for more seating together.
If you decline to select your seat at the time of booking or during check-in, you will be given priority by the airlines, who will automatically assign you a free seat during check-in.
United flyers should look for a new seat map starting in early March. It will highlight adjacent vacancies that are available when booking. The new feature “reviews all available free Economy seats and then unlocks free upgrades to available Priority Seats, if needed,” per each Press Release issued by a Chicago-based carrier.
If there are no adjacent seats available prior to your flight, United customers can transfer to an alternative flight with an adjacent seat in the same cabin to the original destination at no cost. Unlike the current policy of charging customers purchasing basic economy tickets for same-day changes and fare differences, United will not charge these customers for any fare difference between their original flight and their new flight.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, UnitedFits most other airlines, remove change fee to allow passengers to book a new flight within 24 hours of the original scheduled flight. This applies to most economy and premium cabin tickets for domestic routes and travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico, as well as other international travel originating in the United States.
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When United implemented this policy in January 2021, basic economy class tickets were excluded and any fare differences applied.
Linda Jojo, United’s chief customer officer, said in a February 20 statement: “In an age where many families are working in a hybrid environment, they travel more often – and they are United flight. about delivering a great experience for young passengers and their parents, and know that it often starts with choosing the right seat. We look forward to rolling out more family-friendly features this year.”
Advance booking fees, ranging from $20 to $100 each way, depending on the carrier, fare type and route, have caught the attention of President Joe Biden and the Department of Transportation, both All aim to prevent these fees, along with other measures- known as junk fees, through Garbage Fee Prevention Act.
“We’re going to ban airlines from charging families up to $50 round-trip just to sit together,” Biden said during his State of the Union speech in January. “The baggage fee is bad enough – they can’t treat your kid like a piece of luggage.”
Current DOT Policy It is believed to prevent airlines from charging travelers 13 and under when choosing a seat next to an accompanying adult.
Although United declined to confirm whether Biden’s effort would affect the family seating policy change, several people have connected the dots, including Gary Leff, a travel expert. operating View from Wings.
“This is a customer victory, a victory over competitors and a political victory, all wrapped up in one,” Leff said.
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