DOT Rule on Family Seating
Jul 23, 2016, 6:29 am
#1
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DOT Rule on Family Seating
UA appears to be testing functionality for its new "Budget Economy" fares. Saw a pop-up on .bomb asking whether indeed I wanted to confirm the "Budget Economy" option, which noted that it would NOT provide for seat selection (until 24h check-in), E+, UPGs, and ability to change flights. Did not indicate that M+ miles wouldn't be earned, so am assuming that still will be the case. Appears solely to be beta-testing, but at least we now know their name for this no-frills fare.
Jul 23, 2016, 7:26 am
#2
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Given DOT is going to start requiring airlines allow families to get seat assignments together without charge, it will be interesting to see how ua's IT handles this.
Jul 23, 2016, 7:35 am
#3
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It does not require that the entire family be seated together, just anyone under 13 seated next to an accompanying member who is 13 or older.
Jul 23, 2016, 7:53 am
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To the OP, can you give any indication (or screenshots) of what the selection process was. Did this fare show up in the regular "lowest economy" column, or is there something specific to select the budget economy fare. I really hope the latter. While I like getting the best price as much as the next guy, I will never, ever be buying one of these fares - not on UA or as a similar fare on any other carrier.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 23, 2016 at 10:46 am Reason: splitting post to seperate subjects
Jul 23, 2016, 10:17 am
#5
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For anyone who's interested, here's the proposed DOT rule (I've highlighted the heading on "Family Seating"):
Congressional Record
SEC. 3113. LASTING IMPROVEMENTS TO FAMILY TRAVEL.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Lasting Improvements to Family Travel Act'' or the ``LIFT
Act''.
(b) Accompanying Minors for Security Screening.--The
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
shall formalize security screening procedures that allow for
one adult family caregiver to accompany a minor child
throughout the entirety of the security screening process.
(c) Special Accommodations for Pregnant Women.--Not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Transportation shall review and, if
appropriate, prescribe regulations that direct all air
carriers to include pregnant women in their policies, with
respect to preboarding or advance boarding of aircraft.
(d) Family Seating.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and,
if appropriate, establish a policy directing all air carriers
to ensure that, if a family is traveling on a reservation
with a child under the age of 13, that child is able to sit
in a seat adjacent to the seat of an accompanying family
member over the age of 13, to the maximum extent practicable,
at no additional cost.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Lasting Improvements to Family Travel Act'' or the ``LIFT
Act''.
(b) Accompanying Minors for Security Screening.--The
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
shall formalize security screening procedures that allow for
one adult family caregiver to accompany a minor child
throughout the entirety of the security screening process.
(c) Special Accommodations for Pregnant Women.--Not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Transportation shall review and, if
appropriate, prescribe regulations that direct all air
carriers to include pregnant women in their policies, with
respect to preboarding or advance boarding of aircraft.
(d) Family Seating.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and,
if appropriate, establish a policy directing all air carriers
to ensure that, if a family is traveling on a reservation
with a child under the age of 13, that child is able to sit
in a seat adjacent to the seat of an accompanying family
member over the age of 13, to the maximum extent practicable,
at no additional cost.
Jul 23, 2016, 4:12 pm
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Jul 23, 2016, 4:54 pm
#9
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Only downside I see is for the passenger who's forced to give up his desired seat in order to make the change. It should be pretty manageable, though.
Jul 23, 2016, 4:58 pm
#10
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For anyone who's interested, here's the proposed DOT rule (I've highlighted the heading on "Family Seating"):
Congressional Record
Congressional Record
Note that "maximum extent possible" gives DOT a great deal of discretion and as others have already noted only requires one <13 w. one >13 and only when on the same "reservation".
The EU has managed quite well for years with a similar scheme and somehow people seem to survive.
Jul 23, 2016, 5:07 pm
#11
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For anyone who's interested, here's the proposed DOT rule (I've highlighted the heading on "Family Seating"):
Congressional Record
Congressional Record
The EU has done this for years and people seem to survive. As others note, it's being wrongly characterized as "family seating" when it only applies to <13 and only means adjacent to one 13+. Also, gotta be the same "reservation".
All it takes is the GA offering to move somebody else out of their middle seat near the lav and you'll see people slink away quite fast.
Jul 23, 2016, 11:49 pm
#13
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Considering the DOT rules, you may very well be watching the passengers who are being reassigned seats to accommodate those families screaming and moaning....
Last edited by rickg523; Jul 23, 2016 at 11:49 pm Reason: Typo
Jul 24, 2016, 8:07 am
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