EU reform bans airline fees for parents sitting with children

The European Union has adopted a reform of passenger rights that will prohibit airlines from charging parents for seats next to their children. The new rules also require ticket‑selling websites to display prices that include hand‑baggage fees and retain the existing compensation scheme of €250‑600 for delays of three hours or more. German MEP Jan‑Christoph Jetten, who took part in the negotiations, said the changes “successfully protect the rights of air passengers.”

Separately, the UK Competition and Markets Authority has opened an investigation into Ryanair’s practice of imposing an approximately £8 fee per flight segment for a “mandatory family seat.” Ryanair has denied the allegations, describing the probe as unfounded and claiming its policy complies with all relevant consumer‑protection laws.