Families flying in the U.K. could soon get relief from one of the most frustrating extra costs tied to air travel: paying to ensure children can sit next to a parent.
Government plans would also stop airlines from charging passengers to correct a name on a booking when the change is simply fixing an error, The Independent reported.
Here's what to know
Under the proposed policy, airlines would have to place children under 14 next to a parent or other accompanying adult at no added cost.
The rules would also prohibit fees for fixing names on bookings, addressing two extra charges that can hit families before their trip starts.
Parliament is considering the proposals as part of a civil aviation consumer protection and regulatory reform bill. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the effort aims to curb the "little charges that add up" for families planning holidays.
The Department for Transport said a parent and child can be charged as much as £104 ($137) to sit together on a round-trip journey.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, felt the charges were unreasonable.
"It's clearly unfair to force parents and children as young as three to pay an extra fee just to sit together."
More background
Regulators in Britain have already examined the issue.
Earlier this year, The Independent reported that Ryanair revised its family seating policy after an investigation into its practice of charging parents to sit with their children.
Before that change, families with children ages 2 through 11 had to buy a seat reservation in what the airline called a mandatory family seat category.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that the fee was typically about £8 ($10.57) each way.
The overhaul also addressed in-flight incidents caused by flyers, as government figures show more than 1,000 serious disruptive passenger incidents were recorded in 2025, including a mid-air fight that led to a diversion.
What's being done?
The bill would let ministers define passenger rights more clearly and create a register of duties for airlines and airports.
Paid seat selection would still be available under the family seating plan. Parents could continue paying to reserve a specific seat, but their children would sit beside them for free under the new rules.
"Charging parents just to sit with their children is a rip-off, plain and simple," said Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
"And being hit with a hefty fee for a simple spelling mistake on a booking form isn't right either. People are fed up with these little charges that add up, so I'm putting a stop to them," he continued.
"This is what our everyday fixes are all about – giving people room to breathe by tackling the small irritations that catch people out, waste their time and cost them money."
The government is also working with airlines and trade unions on a new system for sharing information about disruptive passengers. Under that system, airlines could opt to bar repeat disruptive travelers.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander framed the package as both a consumer and safety measure.
"These commonsense reforms will make flying safer for staff and passengers and protect people from unnecessary charges, whoever they fly with," she observed.
Where can I learn more?
Airline rules and government pressure are reshaping other parts of the industry, too. These articles look at disputes over staff perks, ghost flights, and efforts to curb short-haul flying.
• British Airways revoked a private jet discount for staff after fierce online backlash.
• Qatar Airways faced scrutiny for flying ghost flights to preserve a valuable loophole.
• Spain moved to ban short domestic flights in a sweeping transportation law.
• France increased taxes on flights to push more travelers toward trains.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
