THE Trump administration is urging U.S. airlines and airports to enhance the passenger experience by offering healthier food choices, exercise opportunities, and family-friendly amenities such as playspaces and nursing facilities, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference at Reagan Washington National Airport, Duffy said he had personally contacted most major airline CEOs to discuss ways to improve air travel.
“This is not about mandates. This is not requirements. This is a conversation about could we offer healthier options?” Reuters reported him saying on Tuesday.
“How do we make the experience, as we all travel together, just a little bit better? That’s the conversation we’re having. But I’m not cramming this down anyone’s throat… I’m not fining anyone if they wear their pajamas on the airplane.”
Duffy, who last month urged airlines to replace salty pretzels and high-calorie cookies with healthier onboard options, acknowledged that lowering food costs at airports depends on market demand and supply.
“They have people pretty tightly contained and there’s not a lot of options – so I don’t have a plan to reduce costs. What I am trying to do is provide healthier options,” he said.
In addition to healthier meals, Duffy encouraged airports to install more dedicated spaces for young children, expand exercise facilities, and improve areas for mothers to nurse.
Demonstrating the benefits of pre-flight exercise, Duffy and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy even performed pull-ups at the airport during the event.
The transportation chief is also overseeing a US$12.5 billion revamp of the nation’s air traffic control system and is seeking congressional approval for an additional US$19 billion to complete the overhaul, while addressing a chronic shortage of air traffic controllers.
Duffy did not provide an update on a longstanding Transportation Department proposal, issued under President Joe Biden, which would prevent airlines from charging fees to seat families with young children together if adjacent seats were available during booking. The proposal remains listed under the department’s “long-term actions.”
The initiative reflects an administration push to prioritise passenger well-being, blending public health considerations with family convenience and general comfort during air travel. - December 9, 2025
