UK bill would require airlines to seat under-14s beside adults free of charge
The UK government plans to ban airlines from charging parents extra to sit with their children on flights. Children under 14 will be required to sit next to their parents or an accompanying adult free of charge, alongside a ban on charging for booking name corrections. The changes are part of a civil aviation reform bill making its way through parliament, with implementation targeted for before summer 2027.
Currently, families can be charged up to £104 for seating arrangements on a return journey. Airlines such as Ryanair have previously imposed mandatory family seat fees of approximately £8 each way, though the airline adjusted its policy following regulatory investigation. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is simultaneously announcing measures to combat disruptive passenger behaviour, with airlines logging over 1,000 serious incidents in 2025.
- Government bans airlines from charging parents to sit with children on flights.
- Seating arrangements currently cost families up to £104 on return journeys.
- Booking name corrections will also become free under the new rules.
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Airlines currently charge families extra to guarantee that children under 14 sit beside a parent or guardian on flights. Depending on the airline, these fees can amount to over £100 on return journeys, making family travel considerably more expensive. Because airlines typically treat seat selection as an optional paid service, families either pay for guaranteed seating or risk being separated.
This charging practice has become increasingly contentious, with regulators and consumer advocates questioning its fairness and impact on families' ability to travel together safely. Some airlines have already adjusted their policies following regulatory investigations and public scrutiny. The debate reflects growing concerns about aviation costs and what constitutes essential passenger care.
The issue sits within broader discussions about standards in air travel. Airlines have also faced increased scrutiny over disruptive passenger behaviour, with serious incidents significantly rising in recent years. These concerns about cost, accessibility and passenger safety are prompting greater regulatory scrutiny of how the industry operates.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “UK airlines to be banned from charging parents to sit with children”.