A Lufthansa passenger recently faced one of the worst travel experiences of his life. He had booked a flight from the US to Athens for himself, his wife, and their toddler, expecting that the family would travel comfortably together.
Family Shocked by Airline Policy
To their surprise, Lufthansa informed the passenger that the airline doesn’t guarantee adjacent seats for families. The only way to ensure seats together was by paying for assigned seating, which would cost around $400 for the round trip.
No Assurance for Toddler Seating
The representative further clarified that there was no guarantee the toddler would be seated next to either parent. This left the family upset and anxious, especially given that their child was very young.
Airline’s Revenue Model Raises Concerns
Lufthansa’s policy reflects a broader airline trend of charging extra for seat selection. While this boosts revenue, it raises serious concerns when minors are involved. Families naturally expect airlines to make arrangements that keep them seated together.
Some Airlines Do Make Efforts
A few airlines try to ensure at least one parent sits beside a young child, even without additional payment. However, there is still no formal rule ensuring all family members are seated together without paying extra.
Paying for Seats Becomes the Only Choice
In this case, the passenger had no choice but to pay the extra amount for seat assignments. For families with children, this highlights the growing challenge of affordable and stress-free air travel.
