EU bans airline fees for parents to sit beside children

The European Union approved new passenger‑rights rules that will prohibit airlines from charging extra fees to parents who want a seat next to their child. The measure is part of a wider overhaul of EU air‑travel regulation and is slated to take effect in January 2026. It applies to all flights departing from, or arriving in, the EU when operated by EU‑based carriers, and will be enforced through existing passenger‑rights mechanisms, with possible fines of up to 4 % of an airline’s annual turnover.

The ban targets a practice that affected an estimated 1.2 million families each year, with fees normally ranging from €20 to €50 per flight. Budget carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet will no longer be able to impose the charge, although airlines may still charge for additional seats beyond the family’s immediate need. The change was reinforced by the EU’s decision to keep the EU261/2004 compensation scheme unchanged, while adding the child‑seating prohibition and other transparency measures.

The reforms aim to improve affordability and fairness for travelling families, while balancing airline revenue concerns. The European Commission will monitor compliance and may impose penalties on repeat offenders.