Yahoo Finance One Airline Has a Solution for the Viral Debate on Whether Solo Flyers Should Give Up Their Seat for Families
An incident earlier this year sparked a heated discourse about what should happen when a parent fails to book a seat next to their child on an aircraft
JetBlue is settling the widely debated topic of whether solo travelers should feel obligated to switch airline seats to accommodate large families by enacting a brand-new seating policy.
The airline’s new policy, according to a press release, guarantees that children ages 13 and under will be assigned to sit with at least one adult on their same airline reservation — regardless of seating assignments — and for no additional fee.
This policy applies to all customers, including those who opt for JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare, which is effectively the airline’s version of a basic economy option.
The policy also applies to last-minute bookings made 24 hours prior, though it may require a crew member to change up the seating manually.
Getty
Related: JetBlue Plane Nearly Collides with Private Jet at Boston's Logan Airport: 'Close Call'
“We know traveling with young children can add challenges, and we want to do everything we can to put parents and families at ease by providing a smooth trip each time they choose JetBlue,” said Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer of JetBlue.
She added, “This enhanced family seating policy reflects our commitment to continue to meet the needs of our customers and provide exceptional service.”
And while this is a sealed deal for all customers, the airline still encourages passengers to select their seating of choice ahead of time — to ensure a smooth booking and traveling process.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
PEOPLE previously consulted travel expert, advisor and writer Nicole Campoy Jackson on the matter in July. At the time, she said it is not a solo traveler’s obligation or responsibility to accommodate large families.
“As much as it’s possible, passengers should be choosing their seats ahead of time for this exact reason,” she explained. “I don’t think that you can board a plane with the expectation of someone leaving their seat for you.”
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
