UK airlines are set to be blocked from charging parents additional fees to sit with their children on flights, according to new government plans. The proposed rule would mandate airlines to seat passengers under 14 next to their parents or an accompanying adult without charge.
The changes also include an end to fees for correcting name errors on flight bookings. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated these measures are part of a broader effort to tackle "little charges that add up" for families planning holidays.
Ministers reportedly aim to introduce these changes before the 2027 summer holidays. The Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, would grant ministers the power to define passenger rights and airline duties.
Separately, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced a crackdown on disruptive passenger behaviour. The government, airlines, and trade unions are developing a system to share information about such passengers, potentially allowing airlines to ban those who are persistently disruptive.