UK moves to stop charges for parents sitting next to children on flights

The UK government has announced plans to ban airlines from charging parents extra fees to sit next to their children on flights. Under the proposed Civil Aviation Bill, the Department for Transport will consult on eliminating charges for parents to be seated next to children under 14, as well as fees for correcting minor booking errors. Prime Minister Andy Burnham called such charges a rip-off, saying it was unacceptable to charge parents just to sit with their children.

Costs and scope of the proposed changes

The Department for Transport estimates that sitting together on a return journey can currently cost families up to £104, while minor booking corrections such as name changes can cost up to £40. The changes form part of a wider set of aviation reforms which also include a new system for managing persistently disruptive passengers — over 1,000 serious incidents were logged in 2025 alone.

Industry response

Airlines UK said it was surprised by the announcement, pointing out that UK airlines already allow free minor name corrections and follow regulator guidance on seating children under 12 with their adult companion. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said no parent should face extra charges simply to sit next to their child or to fix a simple booking mistake. The changes are expected to be implemented before the start of the 2027 summer holiday season.