Trading seats so adults and kids traveling together can sit together is no longer an issue on JetBlue. Nor is babysitting that misplaced child who only wants to watch the latest Pixar movie on your lap. A new family seating policy by the New York-based airline ensures kids aged thirteen and younger will be seated with the adults they're traveling with, at no extra cost.
Families traveling on the same reservation without assigned seats will all be assigned seats by JetBlue, using a new process that proactively identifies reservations with children and adults traveling together. At least one adult in the party will be seated next to the kid or kids in the same party. This is especially helpful for travelers booking JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare, the airline’s version of basic economy, which doesn't always allow travelers to select seats.
“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. “This enhanced family seating policy reflects our commitment to continue to meet the needs of our customers and provide exceptional service.”
Last-minute travelers, or those who book within 24 hours of their planned boarding time, will get seats assigned manually by a JetBlue airport crew member, assuming space is available in the aircraft's seating configuration. Still, everyone flying JetBlue is encouraged to select their seats when they book, if possible, to ensure everyone can sit together.
This initiative is just one of many new promises major airlines are making to seat families together. In March 2023, United Airlines revamped its seating policy to allow families with 12 year old and younger travelers the opportunity to sit together with no extra fees. Around the same time, Frontier Airlines added a similar policy. And most recently, Southwest Airlines was named the best for family travelers, thanks to its ease of allowing families to board and sit together.