Children under 14 sit free next to their parents. Photo: Shutterstock **UK Introduces Family-Friendly Flight Policy**
The UK is introducing a plan that could significantly change the flying experience for families, and one of the country's major airlines is opposing how the government is presenting it.
The UK government announced that under the new program, airlines will be required to seat children under 14 next to a parent or accompanying adult at no extra charge.
This aims to end the situation where families must pay extra to ensure a child sits next to an adult. Currently, a parent and child may have to pay up to 104 GBP on a round trip for adjacent seat selection.
Under 14 - The Key Change
One of the most significant aspects of the reform is the age policy. The new rule doesn't only apply to very young children but to any child under 14.
This means even a 12 or 13-year-old should sit next to a parent or an accompanying adult without the family paying extra for sitting together.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that charging parents just to sit next to their children is something the government seeks to change, as part of steps to reduce minor but accumulating household expenses.
Ryanair Opposes the Announcement
However, Ryanair responded sharply to the move, claiming that a significant part of the changes the government presents already exist with UK airlines.
In an official statement released on October 2, Ryanair claimed that children under 12 can already sit next to a parent or accompanying adult at no extra charge.
According to the company's official seating policy, children aged 2 to 11 must sit next to an accompanying adult. When the family chooses random seat allocation at no charge, the child is seated next to an adult on the same booking without additional fees.
For Ryanair, the significant novelty in the government's proposal is the extension of the rule to include 12 and 13-year-olds.
Ryanair also dismissed the government's claim about charges for simple name corrections. The company states it already provides passengers with a 24-hour window to correct minor spelling mistakes in the booking at no charge.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary criticized the government, claiming it presents as 'reform' measures that already exist in parts of the industry. The company also used the response to reiterate its attack on the British Air Passenger Duty, which increased in 2026 to 15 GBP per passenger. Ryanair states this costs a family of four 60 GBP and hinders the UK's competitiveness as a tourist destination.
Name Corrections Without Unnecessary Fees
Under the government plan, passengers will receive more flexibility for correcting simple errors in the name on the reservation, without additional charges.
The government argues that a fee of up to 40 GBP can be charged for minor errors or simple administrative changes, aiming to distinguish significant ticket changes from typographical or technical corrections. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that parents shouldn't have to pay just to sit next to their children or to correct a simple booking mistake.
Combating Disruptive Passengers
Alongside consumer measures, the UK government also announced a new safety initiative.
The government is working with airlines and labor unions to establish a new system for sharing information on passengers who are repeatedly or severely disruptive.
In 2025, airlines documented over 1,000 severe incidents of disruptive passengers. The goal is to enable companies to identify problematic passengers earlier and, where appropriate, extend flight bans.
Not Yet in Effect
It is important to emphasize that the new rules do not take immediate effect. The government clarified that changes will be enacted after completing the legislative process and receiving Royal Assent for the Civil Aviation Bill.
If the reform is approved as outlined, the evident change for families will be clear: Every child under 14 should sit next to a parent or accompanying adult without additional charge for sitting together.
However, Ryanair's sharp reaction now adds another layer to the story: From the company's perspective, part of the government's proclaimed revolution is already taking place, and the real struggle is with air travel costs and taxation in the UK.