New bill seeks to have families sit together on airplane

WASHINGTON — A new bill may require airlines to keep families seated together.

The Los Angeles Times reported that a bill has been added to funding legislation for the Federal Aviation Administration to help accommodate families traveling together on the plane.

The bill, introduced by Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), calls for provisions that will require airlines to ensure children under 13 years of age sit with another family member who is 13 years old or older.

"The Families Flying Together Act will put an end to the absurdity of toddlers sitting separate or unattended on an airplane – requiring airlines to plan ahead so that families with young children can fly together," Nadler said in a statement.

“Traveling with young children can already be very stressful for parents and when you can’t sit together on a flight, it only makes this process more difficult." Davis said in statement. "All we're asking is for airlines to do a better job of accommodating parents ahead of time so we can make flying a better experience for families and other passengers aboard."

Nadler and Davis previously introduced H.R. 3334, the Families Flying Together Act of 2015, to direct airline carriers to notify passengers traveling with minors if there are no seats next to each other to accommodate them and ensure, if possible, that families are seated together on flights.

The current bill would allow airlines to charge passengers an additional fee if they are placed in higher-priced, roomier seats.

Cox Media Group