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Sometimes—but there is no single worldwide rule. In Canada, airlines must facilitate free, age-appropriate proximity for children under 14. In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) lists voluntary airline commitments, while a broader federal rule remains a proposal. In the European Union, a new no-extra-cost rule for children under 12 has been adopted but is not expected to take effect until summer 2027. The answer for a particular trip depends on its jurisdiction, airline and seating conditions.
What the rules require, by region
| Region | Status on October 4, 2026 | Children covered and proximity | What “free” means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Binding regulation in force | Under 14: age 4 or younger, adjacent; ages 5–11, same row with no more than one seat between; ages 12–13, no more than one row apart. | The airline must facilitate the required arrangement at no additional charge, but need not offer free advance selection of particular seats. |
| United States | Some airlines make voluntary commitments. The DOT’s 2024 proposed rule is not an effective universal mandate. | The DOT dashboard lists commitments for children 13 or under seated adjacent to an accompanying adult, subject to conditions. | For carriers listed as committed, the promise is no additional charge when its conditions are met. |
| European Union | New rule adopted in July 2026; expected to enter into force in summer 2027. Existing rules remain in effect until then. | Future rule: children under 12 next to an accompanying adult. Separately, EASA operational guidance addresses same-row seating, with limited alternatives. | The Commission describes the future right as seating next to an adult at no extra cost. EASA operational guidance is not itself that fee rule. |
These are the jurisdictions covered by the available official sources; do not assume the same protections apply on every international itinerary. Check the rules and carrier policy for the trip.
United States: voluntary airline promises, not a general federal guarantee
Which airlines appear on the DOT dashboard?
The DOT dashboard, last updated September 5, 2025, shows Alaska, American, Frontier, Hawaiian and JetBlue as committing to seat a child 13 or under next to an accompanying adult at no additional cost across fare types. It shows Allegiant, Delta, Southwest and United as not making that dashboard commitment. This records the commitments shown on that date; it is not a guarantee that every booking qualifies. Check the DOT airline family seating dashboard and the carrier’s current policy before booking or departure.
Conditions can determine whether a commitment applies
For airlines that assign seats, the dashboard describes conditions including the child and adult being on the same reservation and suitable adjacent seats being available at booking in the selected class. Other conditions may include no aircraft substitution to a smaller aircraft, the adult selecting seats for the whole reservation—or skipping selection for the whole reservation—and not later changing the assignments. The layout must also make the requested seating physically possible given the number of children. When the conditions are met, the dashboard says the assignment is to be provided no later than the day before the flight.
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For an open-seating carrier, the dashboard says the adult must alert the gate agent before boarding begins; the party must be on one reservation, and the arrangement must be physically possible in the aircraft layout. Check the dashboard for the carrier’s terms rather than assuming that an open-seating process works like assigned seats.
A proposed rule is not yet a current mandate
The DOT’s 2024 family-seating document proposed requiring adjacent seating for children aged 13 and under, subject to exceptions. It is a notice of proposed rulemaking, not an effective final rule. Do not treat the proposed protections or penalties as current binding law. See the DOT family seating rulemaking information.
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Canada: a binding, age-based duty to facilitate proximity
Section 22 of Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations applies to children under 14. The carrier must facilitate seating near an accompanying parent, guardian or tutor without charging extra, using these age tiers:
- Age 4 or younger: an adjacent seat.
- Ages 5–11: the same row, with no more than one seat between child and accompanying adult.
- Ages 12–13: no more than one row between them.
For young children, the aisle may separate the pair only when the aircraft layout requires it, according to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) guide.
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When and how the airline must try to arrange seats
The regulation requires the carrier to assign an appropriate seat before check-in. If it does not, it must tell passengers before check-in that it will facilitate the assignment at check-in or at the gate, then assign seats at check-in if possible. If needed, it must seek volunteers at boarding and again before takeoff to make the arrangement.
No fee for proximity does not mean free advance seat selection
The CTA distinguishes the required arrangement from choosing particular seats in advance: an airline must not charge to make the prescribed proximity arrangement, but it does not have to offer free advance selection of specific seats. A passenger who chooses to preselect or change seats may face the applicable fee. If meeting the proximity requirement means assigning a lower class, the passenger must be reimbursed the fare difference; choosing a higher class may cost extra. If the airline cannot arrange proximity after following the required steps, the CTA guide says it should discuss options and should not force another passenger to move or leave the flight. See the CTA guide to seating children with an accompanying passenger and the Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
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European Union: a future no-extra-cost rule, plus operational guidance
On July 28, 2026, the European Commission said revised passenger-rights rules adopted in July include seating children under 12 next to an accompanying adult at no extra cost. The Commission expects the rules to enter into force in summer 2027; until then, existing EU rules continue. This is an adopted future protection, not a right already in force on October 4, 2026. The Commission’s announcement, Know your EU passenger rights before you travel, gives the timing.
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What to do if your child is assigned a seat away from you
- Check the applicable rule and airline policy. Identify the relevant jurisdiction and carrier; confirm current terms, especially for U.S. voluntary commitments.
- Keep the child and accompanying adult on one reservation where possible. This is a condition of the U.S. dashboard commitments and practical DOT advice.
- Contact the airline when booking or as soon as you see a split assignment. Ask for the age-appropriate arrangement or the carrier’s family-seating process. In Canada, request the proximity required for the child’s age.
- Confirm the final assignments before going to the airport. DOT advises contacting the airline if seats are uncertain or separated and checking again because an aircraft substitution can change assignments.
- For U.S. open seating, alert the gate agent before boarding begins. The DOT dashboard specifies this step for carriers whose process uses open seating.
- If the problem remains unresolved, raise it with the carrier and allow time at the airport. DOT says to complain to the airline or DOT if the issue is not resolved. Even if the entire family cannot sit together, ask whether each child can be seated with an adult family member.
For an aircraft-approved child restraint used in a separately purchased seat, verify that the airline and aircraft accept that specific device; restraint approval does not give a family a right to adjacent seats. EASA’s child-restraint operational rules address use and installation.
Can an airline separate a parent and child?
The answer depends on which rule applies and whether its requirements are met. Canada has a binding duty to facilitate the specified age-based proximity. In the United States, a listed airline’s commitment is conditional, and there is no universal effective federal mandate established by the cited 2024 proposal. In the EU, the Commission’s no-extra-cost rule is not expected to take effect until summer 2027; EASA operational guidance is distinct from that future passenger-rights rule.
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