UK scraps charges to seat children with parents on flights, and for simple name errors

The new rules, announced by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, have now come into force.

The UK has just announced that airlines will no longer be able to charge parents to secure seats next to their children.

The new rules, which come into force today (2 October), apply to children under the age of 14 with a parent or accompanying adult.

Before the rule change, a parent and child could be charged up to £104 (€122) on a return ticket to book seats next to each other.

Passengers will also be able to correct simple name errors on bookings for free. Previously, some airlines were charging up to £40 (€47) to do so.

“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,” UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.

“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.

“These common-sense reforms will make flying safer for staff and passengers and protect people from unnecessary charges, whoever they fly with.”

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