Family was totally in the wrong (and I thought United was totally in the wrong in the Dr. Dao matter).

However, I could practically hear the wife, muttering under her breath, "come on, drag him off, drag him off already! we could use a couple million, so knock out a few teeth too....."

That's what I was thinking. Are you not able to buy extra seats for yourself to give yourself more room? I thought Airlines were in the business of selling seats. It seems like mission accomplished on that one. I didn't read it as a cancellation where the family got reimbursed.

Regarding the child being in a lap or car seat. Doesn't that only apply for takeoff and landing? Once that fasten seat belt sign goes off that child is entitled to be walking around the aisle etc (with parent I would hope). The announcement usually says something like 'we recommend when seated you keep your seat belt on and securely fastened'. It's not compulsory. So if that's the case why can't they keep the child on their lap when required then let them spread out onto the seat they paid for at other times?

It can't be a full refund, because it's a late cancellation; that always incurs a fee, but I agree that it seems wrong they can charge full price twice