Take off for passengers as government scraps extra charges when flying
UK government will ban child seating fees and minor booking correction charges from October 2026 to reduce travel costs and improve passenger rights.
The UK government announced that from 2 October 2026, airlines must seat children under 14 with a parent or guardian at no extra cost, addressing a long-standing grievance where families could be charged up to £104 for a return flight. The move aims to ease cost-of-living pressures ahead of the 2025 summer holiday season by eliminating fees that have drawn criticism for prioritising profit over passenger comfort. Airlines will also be prohibited from charging up to £40 for correcting minor name errors on bookings, a practice described as unfair and unnecessary by consumer advocates.
In addition to scrapping these fees, the government will introduce a new system in 2025 to share information on disruptive passengers across UK airlines, following over 1,000 serious incidents recorded in the previous year. The system is designed to identify repeat offenders early, enhance safety for staff and travellers, and support airlines in enforcing bans where appropriate. The reforms follow a pattern of stricter enforcement on air passenger rights in the UK and Europe, aligning domestic rules with EU standards to provide clearer protections.
The changes will apply to all airlines operating in the UK, ensuring consistency regardless of carrier, and will take effect after the Civil Aviation Bill receives Royal Assent. The government framed the reforms as part of its ‘everyday fixes’ agenda, targeting small but costly irritations that accumulate for households, such as hidden charges and administrative penalties. The announcement coincides with a broader cost-of-living support package, including a VAT reduction on electricity bills introduced on 1 October 2025, which is projected to save households £45.
Consumer groups welcomed the move, noting that pressure from organisations like Which? had already led many airlines to drop child seating fees voluntarily over the past decade. The government’s intervention ensures these protections are universal and legally binding, removing the risk of families being separated or penalised for minor booking errors. The reforms are expected to be implemented swiftly once the legislation is enacted, with industry collaboration to ensure fair and practical application across the sector.