Families Rejoice! Airlines Banned from Charging to Sit with Kids
Families Rejoice! Airlines Banned from Charging to Sit with Kids
Big news for UK families! New rules will stop airlines charging extra for parents to sit with children under 14, and end fees for name corrections. Prime Minister Andy Burnham calls it a crackdown on 'rip-off' charges.
Traveling with family is about to get a little easier and a lot less costly for passengers in the UK. New government plans are set to block airlines from charging parents extra fees just to sit with their children on flights. This significant change aims to alleviate one of the 'little charges that add up' when families plan their holidays.
Under the proposed rules, airlines will be required to seat passengers under the age of 14 next to their parents or an accompanying adult, completely free of charge. This move comes as a welcome relief for many who have previously faced additional costs simply to ensure their children are seated safely alongside them. Reports indicate that an arrangement to sit together could currently cost a family up to £104 on a return journey.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been vocal about the initiative, stating, “Charging parents just to sit with their children is a rip-off, plain and simple.” He emphasized that these changes are part of a broader effort to tackle small irritations that cost people time and money, giving families more “room to breathe.” The government is reportedly pushing to introduce these changes before the start of next year's summer holidays.
In addition to family seating, the new regulations will also remove charges for passengers needing to correct a simple spelling mistake on their flight booking.
This addresses another common frustration where minor errors led to unexpected fees.
The Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill is currently making its way through parliament, which will empower ministers to set out these new passenger rights.
Consumer advocates like Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, have applauded the move, calling it “clearly unfair” for airlines to profit from separating families.
The issue gained prominence earlier this year when Ryanair adjusted its family seating policy after an investigation into its practice of charging parents to reserve “mandatory family seats.” While Ryanair now allows parents to reserve a seat of their choice and have children seated alongside free, this new legislation aims to make it a universal standard across all UK airlines.
Separately, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has also announced a crackdown on disruptive passenger behavior. A new system will be developed for airlines and trade unions to share information on unruly passengers, potentially leading to bans for persistent offenders. This initiative follows reports of over 1,000 serious disruptive incidents in 2025, including a mid-air brawl that diverted a flight.
While this is a different issue, it underscores the government's broader focus on improving the air travel experience for all.
Overall, these changes are poised to make air travel more equitable and less burdensome for UK families, ensuring peace of mind without hidden costs.
