Airline Family Seating Antitrust Lawsuit

A new class action lawsuit alleges that several major airlines have implicitly coordinated to create "junk fee" revenue streams by making it difficult for families to sit together without paying extra. Plaintiffs claim that despite promises to seat children with a parent, airline booking systems are designed to separate family members, forcing them to pay seat selection fees to be reunited.

The lawsuit argues this practice is deceptive and violates consumer protection laws. It suggests that airlines are aware that parents will almost always pay to avoid being separated from young children, effectively turning a basic service into a mandatory, high-margin add-on fee. The case seeks refunds for passengers who paid these fees and an injunction to change the airlines' booking practices.