United Airlines has introduced an improved family seating policy that makes it easier for families with children under 12 years old to sit together when travelling.
The airline’s new policy has been made possible through a series of investments in a new seat map feature that dynamically finds available adjacent seats at the time of booking. The online seat engine first reviews all available free economy seats and then opens complimentary upgrades to available preferred seats, if needed.
In instances where adjacent seats are not available prior to travel due to scenarios such as last-minute bookings, full flights, or unscheduled aircraft changes, the new policy will allow travellers to switch free to a flight travelling to the same destination that has adjacent seat availability in the same cabin. Travellers will also not be charged if there is a difference in fare price between the original and new flight.
Those travelling with children under 12 will already start to see more adjacent seat options when booking, while the complete policy change will go into effect in early March.
United Polaris, United First Class, and Economy Plus seats remain separate products and are excluded from the new family seating policy change.
