If D.O.T. Gets Its Way, Families Will Sit Together on Flights for Free

Southwest Airlines has slashed many of its fares through early 2025, and travelers can book one-way tickets starting at $46.

I do not know anyone who heads to the airport and thinks to themselves, "Oh man, I bet this is going to be an awesome experience." Just booking a flight means contemplating a sliding scale of unfortunate scenarios. What if my bag is lost? What if the flight is overbooked? What do I do if it's delayed or canceled? Once you get to the airport, things only get worse: the headache that is maneuvering through long security lines, swallowing eye-popping airport prices, or wondering just how scared you should be if you wind up on a Boeing. At this point, it's more of a pleasant surprise if a flight actually goes as planned.

Western Air, The Bahamas based commercial airline announces the launch of daily, direct flights between Freeport, Grand Bahama and Fort Lauderdale Florida. The highly anticipated route begins Thursday, August 22, 2024 and will mark the airline’s second route connecting South Florida with the islands of The Bahamas. With a brief flight time of approximately 25 minutes, Western Air’s direct flights will offer both frequency and easy accessibility for Grand Bahama and South Florida residents seeking to enjoy a close, affordable getaway. Free checked bags are included up to 40 lbs.

Flight cancellations are mounting Monday after Hurricane Debby made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast — disruptions that come in the wake of a messy weekend for air travel amid severe storms up and down the East Coast.

Aug 2, 2024 • 8 min read

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tim Winkler, a recent graduate from Germany taking a gap year to travel. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Some have called it the parenting tax: when caregivers are forced to pay for the privilege of sitting next to their children on a flight.

Traveling with children already comes with inherent challenges, but in recent years, airlines’ seat selection policies have made it more difficult for parents and guardians to book adjacent seats with their young children—and are charging for the privilege. This morning, the Department of Transportation (DOT) formally proposed a ban on family seating junk fees.

The Biden administration is proposing a new rule that would prohibit airlines from charging families fees to sit together.

The Department of Transportation is proposing a rule that would prohibit airlines from charging “junk fees” to seat families together on flights. 

A U.S. Department of Transportation regulation requiring airlines to more transparently disclose add-on fees appears to be in peril.

Claire Sturzaker took her first solo backpacking trip for free. Now, she's been to 40 countries and has tips for other budget travelers like her.