New EU rules to ban extra fees for family seating on flights
The European Union has reached an agreement on new passenger rights, prohibiting airlines from charging extra for parents to sit next to their children.
EU authorities have finalized new regulations intended to reform air travel for families. Under the upcoming rules, airlines will be barred from imposing additional charges for seat reservations that allow children under 14 to sit alongside their parents. This mandate also extends to pregnant passengers and individuals with reduced mobility, including their respective companions.
The policy addresses long-standing complaints regarding the pricing structures of certain low-cost carriers, which have frequently required families to pay extra fees to avoid being separated during flights. By standardizing these requirements, the EU aims to eliminate hidden costs in ticket pricing.
Following approval by the European Parliament and member states, airlines have been granted a transition period to adjust their booking systems, with full implementation expected by July 2027 at the earliest. Industry observers, such as the ADAC, emphasize that despite these changes to seating policies, families should continue to ensure they possess all necessary legal documentation, such as travel consent forms, for minors traveling without their parents.