Says Practice Of Charging For Seat Selection Can Force Children To Be Seated Away From Parents

One of more common fees charged by airlines these days is a seat selection fee, which forces passengers to pay for particular seats on an airplane. But a consumer publication says that the practice can force families looking to save money to be separated on an airliner.

Consumer Reports has posted an online petition urging American, Delta and United to end the practice of charging additional fees to allow families to sit together.

"Children 13 or under should sit with their families while flying, and should not be charged extra fees to do so. Complaints have been filed against your airline for separating children as young as age 2 from their families. This is a security hazard for the child and a safety threat to all passengers during emergencies. It also puts an inappropriate burden on customers who sit next to an unaccompanied child," the petition states.

"I (the signer) expect you to put safety over profits, and seat children with their families without charging them extra for it."

USA Today reports that the petition was launched last week with an initial goal of 25,000 signatures. By Monday, the number of signatures was approaching 45,000.

Consumer Reports has reviewed more than 130 complaints submitted to the DoT concerning family separation, with airlines have suggested seating children as young as two apart from their parents.

(Source: Consumer Reports and as cited)

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