The UK government has announced plans to prohibit airlines from charging passengers extra fees to seat children under 14 next to their parents or accompanying adults. This move aims to save families up to £104 on return flights, addressing long-standing concerns about what officials describe as unfair and excessive charges.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham criticized the fees as a "rip-off," emphasizing that passengers should not be burdened by additional costs simply to sit together during air travel. He highlighted the government’s commitment to tackling these incremental charges as part of a broader agenda of everyday consumer protections.

The Department for Transport underscored that parents should not feel pressured to pay extra to sit beside their children, noting that current charges on some airlines have reached up to £104. While most UK carriers already have policies to seat young children close to their guardians without additional payment, the government intends to introduce regulations to ensure this protection applies consistently across all airlines operating in the country.

Airlines UK, representing the industry, stated that its member airlines generally offer seating arrangements that keep young children with their accompanying adults within the same booking at no extra cost, though passengers often pay to pre-select seats in general. The government acknowledged this but pointed to variations between carriers and pledged to consult with stakeholders on the forthcoming rules.

In addition to addressing seating fees, the government is also considering measures to allow passengers to correct minor booking errors, such as simple spelling mistakes, without incurring charges that currently can reach £40. Furthermore, efforts are underway to develop a system for identifying passengers who cause repeated serious disruptions on flights. With more than 1,000 such incidents reported last year, officials hope the system will aid in enforcing bans on problematic travelers more effectively.

While the reforms have yet to undergo formal consultation, the government aims to enhance consumer protections and standardize policies to prevent hidden or unexpected costs for air passengers, particularly families traveling with young children.