The UK government has announced a ban on airlines charging parents extra fees for sitting next to their children on flights. This regulation, revealed by the Department for Transport (DfT) on October 1, mandates that airlines must seat parents with their children under 14 for free. The move aims to alleviate financial burdens amid the rising cost of living, as previous charges could amount to around £104 for a return trip.
In addition to family seating regulations, travelers will also benefit from easier correction of name errors on bookings without incurring extra fees. Moreover, the UK is establishing a database to document and share information on unruly passengers amongst airlines and the government.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham criticized additional charges for family seating and minor booking errors as unfair practices. This initiative is part of the forthcoming Civil Aviation Bill, which is awaiting royal assent and could be operational by next summer.
In a related note, the US Department of Transportation encourages airlines to ensure young children are seated with accompanying adults without extra fees. Airlines upholding this commitment include Alaska, American, Frontier, and JetBlue, though conditions may apply.
