Traveling with little ones can feel like herding cats on a caffeine high. Not only do you have to navigate security with your own sanity intact, but you also have to wrangle everyone else’s stuff—liquids, shoes, snacks, and, of course, the ever-elusive boarding passes. Once you finally board the plane, the biggest hurdle remains: will you actually get to sit next to your kids or be separated like a bad reality show?
Well, rejoice, weary parents! Congress recently made a monumental move in the FAA reauthorization bill that is set to make family travel a tad less chaotic. This new legislation, which funds the FAA through September 2017, includes a shiny new perk for families traveling with kiddos. Specifically, it requires the transportation secretary to set up a policy ensuring that children under 13 can sit next to an adult family member without any extra charges. So, the dreaded “I have to sit with my daughter” excuse won’t be the ticket to first-class that it once was. Instead, it’s a clear rule that allows parents to keep an eye on their kids without stressing over seating fees.
But wait, there’s more good news! If your luggage goes AWOL, the new bill also has your back. Previously, airlines only had to refund baggage fees if bags were completely lost. Now, however, if your bag arrives more than 12 hours late for domestic flights (15 hours for international), airlines must automatically refund those pesky fees. Because let’s be honest—nobody enjoys the sinking feeling of watching the last bag roll by and realizing theirs is MIA.
And let’s not forget the bane of airport security. The bill includes suggestions to expedite the process, like keeping PreCheck lines open during peak times and boosting the number of screening lines when crowds swell. You might still feel like you’re trudging through molasses at the airport, but at least there’s a glimmer of hope for a smoother experience.
Flying isn’t going to turn into a day at the amusement park anytime soon, but with the knowledge that families can sit together without extra costs, that luggage fees are refundable if your bags take a detour, and that security might be a bit faster, we can at least raise a toast with those tiny plastic cups of airplane juice. Cheers to that!
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In summary, the FAA’s new rules make it easier for families to travel together without the added stress of extra fees for seating arrangements. Luggage mishaps are less painful with guaranteed fee refunds, and the security process may soon be more efficient. Cheers to a slightly more manageable flying experience!