Airlines are to be prevented from charging parents extra fees to sit alongside their children on aeroplanes under new plans set out by the Government. Passengers will also no longer face charges when altering a name on their flight booking to rectify an error.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that these regulatory changes are part of a broader crackdown on the "little charges that add up" for families planning holidays. Ministers reportedly intend to introduce these measures before the start of next year’s summer holiday season.
The proposed legislation, the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill, is currently being debated by MPs. It aims to grant ministers powers to establish a clear list of passenger entitlements and duties for airlines and airports. The new rule will require airlines to seat children aged under 14 next to their parents or an accompanying adult free of charge.
According to the Department for Transport, the cost for a parent and child to sit together can currently reach up to £104 on a return journey. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also announced a crackdown on disruptive passenger behaviour, with a new system for sharing information about such incidents being developed by the Government, airlines, and trade unions.