JetBlue Introduces “Formal Family Seating Guarantee” Allowing Kids to Sit Next to Parents for Free

In 2022, the Department of Transportation urged airlines to have policies that will allow families to sit together on planes. Since traveling as a parent with kids can be challenging, JetBlue Airways decided to make it easier for them. Now, JetBlue introduced a “formal family seating guarantee.” In this new policy, children 13 years old and under can sit next to an adult who is traveling with them for free.

This came after a growing number of complaints from passengers. To accommodate children and parents, some passengers had to switch seats. This makes JetBlue the fourth major US airline to allow parents and children to sit together without paying extra. The other three airlines that also offer family seating guarantee policies are American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.

JetBlue Airways President and Chief Operating Officer Joanna Geraghty said, “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.”

Geraghty added, “This enhanced family seating policy reflects our commitment to continue to meet the needs of our customers and provide exceptional service.”

Family Seating Guarantee

So how does it work? JetBlue’s booking system assigns the seat for the parent and child as long as there are adjacent seats available upon booking. But if there are no available seats that will allow the parent and child to sit together, JetBlue’s gate agents at the airport will be the ones to find seats for them.

In a press release, the airline said, “For bookings made within 24 hours of planned travel, seats may need to be assigned manually by a JetBlue airport crewmember.” This policy is also applicable even for those who are using JetBlue’s Blue Basic Fair which is the airline’s version of economy.