Petition seeks to end airline fees for parents to sit near kids

"Children 13 or under should sit with their families while flying, and should not be charged extra fees to do so," the Consumer Reports petition states.

February 25, 2020 9:07 pm

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- A Consumer Reports petition is seeking to change airline policy that has separated children from parents on some flights, unless families were willing to pay an extra fee.

“Children 13 or under should sit with their families while flying, and should not be charged extra fees to do so,” the petition on Consumer Reports’ website reads.

In a November 2019 article, the nonprofit advocacy organization reviewed 136 consumer complaints after filing a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Transportation.

According to the article, children with special needs were forced to sit rows away from their parents. Some families had to re-book flights, costing them thousands of dollars in the process.

“Complaints have been filed against your airline for separating children as young as age 2 from their families,” the petition reads, addressing Delta, American, and United Airlines.

With just under 68,000 signatures since the petition was launched on Thursday, it appeared to be well on track to reach its goal of 75,000 signatures.

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