Airlines: Government plans to ban fees for sitting with your kids

The plan to kill junk fees

Real talk: the travel industry has been lowkey scamming parents for years with "convenience" fees, but that might be ending. The government is pushing a new Civil Aviation Bill aimed at stopping airlines from charging extra just so you can sit next to your own child under 14.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is calling out the practice, labeling it a "rip-off" that hits families hard when they're already trying to budget for a trip. It's giving main character energy to the "everyday fixes" platform, targeting the annoying admin costs that drain your bank account.

What you'll save

If this bill clears Parliament, we're talking about real money. The Department for Transport says current seating fees can run a parent and child up to £104 on a return flight. Plus, those "admin fees" for fixing a typo on a booking form—which can cost you up to £40—would also be on the chopping block.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said in a statement that parents shouldn't "feel the pinch" just to ensure they aren't separated from their kids on a flight.

The fine print

Not everyone is vibing with the news. Airlines UK, the industry trade body, said they were surprised by the announcement. They claim most UK airlines already follow current guidance to keep kids under 12 with adults and don't charge for minor name corrections.

However, consumer experts like Rory Boland from Which? Travel aren't buying it, noting that some airlines still prioritize profit over keeping families together.

On top of the fee ban, the government is also looking to tackle disruptive passengers, building a new system to flag bad behavior after seeing over 1,000 serious incidents logged in 2025. The goal is to have these reforms active before the summer holiday rush next year.

Why it matters

When you're already paying high prices for travel, these "little charges that add up" are a total L. By forcing consistency across all airlines, this legislation is a W for your wallet, keeping more cash in your pocket for the actual vacation rather than administrative nonsense.