Move to stop charges for parents to sit by children on flights
The government says sitting together can currently cost a parent and child up to £104 on a return journey.
By BBC News
The government has announced plans to stop airlines charging parents to sit next to children under 14, with the Department for Transport saying the arrangement can currently cost up to £104 on a return journey.
The change is set to follow approval of the Civil Aviation Bill in Parliament. If approved, the transport department says it will consult on scrapping charges for seating a child beside a parent or accompanying adult, and also for correcting minor booking mistakes.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said parents should not have to “feel the pinch” just to sit next to their child on a flight or to amend a simple booking error.
The government says most UK airlines already offer some protection against hidden fees, but argues the new rules would create more consistency across airlines operating in the UK.
It also says minor corrections, such as fixing a name on a booking form, can currently cost passengers up to £40.
The changes are expected to be brought in after Royal Assent of the Civil Aviation Bill, with ministers aiming to have them in place before next year’s summer holidays.