European families face higher summer travel costs and limited free seating

A YouGov survey commissioned by the Swedish consumer group Plus 1 found that parents with young children are six times more likely than retirees to need a loan to fund a summer holiday. About 35 % of small‑child families said they would probably borrow, compared with only 6 % of pensioners.

A separate review by travel‑service firm AirAdvisor identified that only six major European airlines currently guarantee a free family seat next to a parent. The review notes that EU Parliament has approved a draft agreement that would make free adjacent seats a legal right for children under 14, but the measure still awaits final approval. Together, the findings highlight growing financial pressure on families during the summer travel season across Europe.