Airlines must allow children under the age of 14 to sit with a parent or accompanying adult free of charge under new plans announced by the Government today (2 October).
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said this will end ‘rip-off’ fees that can reach £104 for a parent and child on a return flight.
The reform will also allow passengers to correct simple name errors on bookings for free, removing ‘unfair and irritating’ charges for minor mistakes or admin tweaks.
The Government added it is working with airlines and unions to create a new system that shares information on persistently disruptive passengers.
In 2025, airlines logged more than 1,000 serious disruptive passenger incidents, including a mid-air brawl that caused a flight diversion.
The new system will make it easier to spot disruptors, enhancing safety for staff and passengers, while also allowing airlines to decide on extending bans.
Andy said: “Charging parents just to sit with their children is a rip-off, plain and simple. And being hit with a hefty fee for a simple spelling mistake on a booking form isn’t right either.
“People are fed up with these little charges that add up, so I’m putting a stop to them.
“This is what our everyday fixes are all about. Giving people room to breathe by tackling the small irritations that catch people out, waste their time and cost them money.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Parents should not have to feel the pinch just to sit next to their child on a flight, or for amending a simple booking error. That’s why we’re scrapping these unnecessary charges for all airlines – another everyday fix to help put money back in people’s pockets and give households more breathing room.
“And everyone deserves to travel knowing their flight isn’t going to be disrupted by bad behaviour from a small minority.
“These common-sense reforms will make flying safer for staff and passengers and protect people from unnecessary charges, whoever they fly with.”
The changes are set to be delivered following Royal Assent of the Civil Aviation Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
