UK Airlines Face Proposed Ban on Child Seating Fees

Under proposed parliamentary powers, the UK government plans to consult on banning airlines from charging parents to sit next to children under 14. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that current rules can cost families up to £104 on return flights.

Parents traveling by air in the UK could soon be shielded from extra fees for sitting next to their children, under proposed legislation from the Department for Transport. If the Civil Aviation Bill wins approval in Parliament, the government intends to consult on eliminating charges for seating children under the age of 14 next to an adult, as well as scrapping fees for correcting minor booking errors.

Transport Department Proposes Fee Ban and Consultations

According to the Department for Transport, families can currently face charges of up to £104 for a parent and child to sit together on a return journey. Meanwhile, minor spelling corrections or administrative tweaks can cost passengers as much as £40. Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the proposed measures as part of an ongoing effort to crack down on minor costs that accumulate when families plan holidays.

While acknowledging that most carriers operating in the UK already provide protections against hidden costs, the government argues that the reforms would establish consistent standards across all airlines.

Airlines Dispute Government Claims over Family Seating Fees

Airlines UK expressed surprise at the announcement, noting that UK carriers already adhere to existing Civil Aviation Authority guidance regarding the seating of children under 12, and that minor name corrections are already permitted free of charge.

Individual airlines also disputed the government’s characterization of current seating policies. Ryanair denied that extra fees for families exist, with CEO Michael O’Leary criticizing the announcement. easyJet similarly stated that it has never forced families to pay to sit together and already offers free spelling corrections.

According to easyJet, the primary adjustment under the government’s proposal involves raising the age limit for children included in seating policies from 12 to 14.

Consumer Advocates Back Reform Amid Ongoing Debate

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel argued that separating families financially is detrimental to passenger peace of mind.