Proposed Bill Would Force Airlines to Seat Parents and Children Together For No Extra Fee

Any parent who's flown the not-so-friendly skies with kids has experienced the stress of discovering that their family's seats are scattered throughout the plane. Sure, you can usually get cooperative passengers to switch seats with you — what adult really wants to sit next to a stranger's child on a plane? — but it's exhausting and often holds up the flight.

That whole situation may soon be a thing of the past if an amendment added to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill passes Congress. Sen. Michael Bennet (D – Colorado) proposed an amendment that would require airlines to seat children with their parents — for no extra fees. "Parents shouldn't have to pay extra to sit with their kids on a flight," Sen. Bennet said. "Separating them is not safe and often leaves them at the mercy of other passengers who must decide whether to trade seats."

Many airlines charge a premium for aisle and window seats, forcing parents to pay extra if they want to sit with their kids. The proposed bill would eliminate those fees. It would also give parents the right to escort their children through security checkpoints and would force the airlines to provide pregnant women with the option to preboard the plane.

Though the bill has yet to be passed, the skies are already looking a little more family-friendly.