If there is any discrimination, shouldn't it be the BE adult couple sitting 20 rows apart claiming someone a tenth their age getting preferential treatment?
I am inclined to put the blame for this BE seat selection business squarely on the airlines. FFS*, even Ryanair -- yes, greedy, evil, no-good Ryanair -- won't stoop that low.
Ryanair allows a free allocated seat to a maximum of four children per one adult that purchases a seat.
Canada now has regulations mandating that families be given seats together, as of a few weeks ago. But both Air Canada and Westjet have had a similar policy for quite a while now.
*Mods: FFS = For Felipe's Sake