Under proposed legislation pending parliamentary approval, the UK government intends to prohibit airlines from imposing fees that require parents to sit next to their children during flights. If the Civil Aviation Bill receives Royal Assent, the Department for Transport will consult on eliminating charges for seating children under the age of 14 alongside an adult guardian, as well as waiving fees for minor administrative corrections on flight bookings.
While acknowledging that most UK carriers already provide safeguards against hidden costs, officials stated that the reforms aim to establish uniform standards across all airlines operating in the country. The Department for Transport noted that current practices can cost a parent and child up to £104 for a return journey to secure adjacent seats.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham characterized the fee structures as part of a broader crackdown on incidental costs that burden families. “Charging parents just to sit with their children is a rip-off, plain and simple,” Burnham said, adding that imposing significant fees for simple spelling mistakes on booking forms was unjust.
The department highlighted that minor errors, such as fixing a name on a reservation, can cost passengers up to £40. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized that parents should not face financial penalties simply for wanting to sit near their children or correcting a booking error.
Airlines UK expressed surprise at the announcement, asserting that member airlines already permit free minor name corrections and adhere to existing regulatory guidance regarding seating for children under 12. Rory Boland, editor of consumer publication Which? Travel, described the situation as unfair, stating that airlines separating families were prioritizing profit over passenger comfort.
Beyond seating and booking reforms, the Civil Aviation Bill introduces a new system for sharing information on persistently disruptive passengers, developed in collaboration with airlines and trade unions. Government data indicates that more than 1,000 serious disruption incidents were recorded in 2025, including a mid-air altercation that forced a flight diversion.
Airlines UK welcomed the commitment to addressing disruptive behavior. Ministers are expected to implement the changes before the start of next year’s summer holiday season.
I’m skeptical about the £40 name change fee being a widespread issue. Seems like a fringe complaint rather than a systemic problem.
Will this apply to budget carriers too, or just the major ones? Some low-cost airlines rely heavily on these add-on fees.
Interesting. Airlines UK claims they already allow free minor corrections. Does this mean the new rules are mostly redundant?
About time! £104 to sit next to my child is absolutely outrageous. Glad the government is finally stepping in.