JetBlue Now Guarantees That Children 13 And Under Can Sit With An Adult

Are you traveling across the US this winter and already stressing about your seating plans? New York-based low-cost carrier JetBlue is overhauling its seating policy to ensure that children 13 and under are sat with their parents or guardians, ending the awkward in-cabin shuffle to accommodate families.

Stress less

The new policy is set to group families under the same reservation, ensuring that children are automatically assigned a seat next to one of their accompanying adults without an additional fee, taking some of the stress out of travel.

According to the carrier, seating is guaranteed and will be provided no more than 24 hours before departure across all fare classes, provided customers are booked on the same reservation and in the same classes and no changes are made to your seat assignments once assigned. JetBlue’s equipment may also flag up some issues, with potential aircraft downgauges and configuration limiting groups; however, JetBlue notes it will still attempt to group families.

Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock

JetBlue’s new policy comes as part of the carrier’s continued commitments to improving the travel experience for all its customers and support families. In a statement shared by the airline, COO Joanna Geraghty explained,

“We know traveling with young children can add challenges, and we want to do everything we can to put parents and families at ease by providing a smooth trip each time they choose JetBlue. This enhanced family seating policy reflects our commitment to continue to meet the needs of our customers and provide exceptional service.”

Accommodating families

JetBlue is the latest carrier to scrap fees for families sitting together, with US airlines making a conscious effort over the past year to accommodate parents and children. Earlier this year, United Airlines launched a new “dynamic” seating map for families with children under 12 to select seats next to each other. Frontier Airlines similarly affirmed its seating commitments, ensuring its customers that it was continuing its efforts to group families with children under 14.

The shift comes as the US government looks to cut “junk fees” to reduce the hidden fees imposed on customers during the booking process as part of the Junk Fee Prevention Act.

Photo: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Speaking in February, President Joe Biden outlined the government’s proposal to decrease the current average junk fee of $31 to $8 across the aviation and tourism industry. Biden explained,

“Some airlines charge extra to pick your seat, including for parents who just want to sit next to their child on the plane, and charge extra. You don’t know that going in, though. And it’s wrong.”

Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and Booking.com are the latest targets at the federal and state levels, with fees now required to be displayed during the booking process. The travel industry has also seen a noted fee-tox amid the implementing of the Department of Transportation’s (DoT) Airline Customer Service Dashboard in 2022 to boost transparency. Alaska Airlines currently offers the lowest amount of excess fees, hitting 15 out of the DoT’s 17 fee reduction commitments, while JetBlue takes second place at 13 out of 17.

What are your thoughts on JetBlue’s new seating policy? What other airlines would you like to see supporting families? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: Condé Nast Traveler, BBC, Skift