Airline seating policy under investigation by regulator

Some companies allegedly split up groups to make money

Paying for you seat was first introduced in 2012 by easyJet
(Image credit: John Vizcaino/AFP/Getty Images)

The Civil Aviation Authority has announced an investigation into airline seating policy, after it was revealed that some companies deliberately split up groups of passengers so they have to pay to sit together.

A CAA survey of more than 4,000 passengers who travelled as part of a group on ten airlines last year found just over half of respondents were told they would have to pay more to sit together before they booked. A total of 18% said they had been separated from their travelling companions when they chose not to pay to sit together.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us