Move to stop charges for parents to sit by children on flights

The government says it will ensure parents cannot be charged for sitting next to their children on planes if new powers get approval in Parliament.

If the Civil Aviation Bill gets approved by MPs, the Department for Transport (DfT) says it will consult on scrapping any charges for being seated next to children under the age of 14 or correcting minor errors on flight bookings.

While acknowledging most UK airlines already offer protections against hidden costs, the government said its proposed reforms would provide greater consistency across all airlines operating in the country.

Trade body Airlines UK said minor name corrections are already allowed free of charge, while airlines including easyJet and Ryanair have denied that extra fees exist.

Airlines UK said it was surprised to see the announcement and added UK airlines adhere to current Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidance on the seating of children under 12.

The DfT says it can currently cost £104 for a parent and child to sit together on a return journey while small mistakes or admin tweaks can cost passengers up to £40.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the proposed rule changes are part of a crackdown on the "little charges that add up" when families plan their holiday trips.

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