Airlines That Let Families Sit Together for Free

Air travel is expensive. And as additional fees are added and added, families bear the brunt since flying with children often comes with additional luggage and extra gear. Charging families extra for assigned seating with their minor children feels like salt in the wound.

Here a list of airlines that let families sit together for free. This is close to being legally required. Until then, maybe support the airlines that aren’t gouging parents.

Airlines That Let Families Sit Together for Free:

Air Canada

Policy: Air Canada provides complimentary seat assignments for parents/guardians and children under 14 traveling together.​

Details: Families are automatically seated together when booking. If adjacent seating isn’t possible, Air Canada offers alternative flight options or a full refund.

Air Transat

Policy: Air Transat assigns adjacent standard seats for free to children aged 2–13 and their parents/guardians on the same booking.​

Details: Seats are grouped together and assigned by the system 14 days prior to departure.

Alaska Airlines

Policy: Alaska guarantees adjacent seats for children 13 or under and an accompanying adult at no additional cost for all fare types.

Details: Alaska uses technology during booking to seat families together. If seats aren’t available during the online process, customers are encouraged to contact reservations, and Alaska will manually assign seats together at no additional cost. Applies even on Saver fares.

EVA Air

Policy: Strives to seat children under 14 near their parent or guardian at no extra charge on flights to and from Canada.​

Details: Proximity depends on the child’s age, with specific seating arrangements outlined by the airline.

Frontier Airlines

Policy: Frontier automatically assigns seats to ensure children 13 and under are seated with an accompanying adult at no extra cost.

Details: Frontier’s system blocks specific seats to reserve for family seating. When a reservation includes a child, the system assigns adjacent seats automatically 24 hours before check-in. Customers do not need to pay for seat selection to sit together.

JetBlue Airways

Policy: Guarantees adjacent seating for children 13 and under traveling with an adult, applicable to all fare classes, including Blue Basic.

Details: JetBlue uses automated seat mapping to ensure family seating during booking. If a suitable arrangement isn’t available, JetBlue invites customers to contact support and will assign seats manually—without added fees. Applies to all fare types.

Singapore Airlines

Policy: Offers free standard seat selection for families traveling with young children on the same booking.​

Details: Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, excluding emergency exit rows.

WestJet

Policy: WestJet guarantees that children under 14 will be seated with an adult at no extra charge.​

Details: If seats aren’t available at booking, WestJet will assign seats to ensure children sit next to at least one adult in the travel group.

Airlines with Limited or No Guarantees for Family Seating

Some airlines may attempt to seat families together but do not guarantee it without potential extra charges:​

Delta Air Lines:

Delta strives to seat family members together upon request but does not guarantee it, especially on Basic Economy fares.

United Airlines:

The first adult listed on the reservation can sit next to up to two children in their party for free.

Southwest Airlines:

Southwest Airlines operates on an open seating policy; families with children aged six or younger are allowed to board during Family Boarding, but specific seats are not guaranteed. ​

Tips for Ensuring Families Can Sit Together on a Plane:

• Book Early: The earlier you book, the more seating options are available.​
• Single Reservation: Ensure all family members are on the same booking to facilitate seating together.​
• Check Airline Policies: Review the specific airline’s family seating policy during the booking process.​
• Contact the Airline: If you’re unable to select seats together online, call the airline’s customer service for assistance.​
• Arrive Early: Early check-in increases the chances of securing seats together.

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See Also:

• Planning Your First Trip with Baby
• Tips for Flying with a Baby or Toddler at Every Age & Stage
• Baby Travel Destinations
• The Complete Guide to Baby Travel Gear
• Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with a Newborn Baby
• Information & Tips for Traveling with a Baby or Toddler
• Tips for Road Trips with a Baby or Toddler
• 5 Reasons to Love Travel with a Stroller

Photo by Kirill Pershin on Unsplash