{
  "id": 11432806,
  "title": "UK scraps charges to seat children with parents on flights, and for simple name errors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/uk-scraps-charges-to-seat-children-with-parents-on-flights-and-for",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-02T11:58:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/02/uk-scraps-charges-to-seat-children-with-parents-on-flights-and-for-simple-name-errors"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK has announced that airlines will no longer be able to charge parents for securing seats next to their children on flights, and will not charge for correcting simple name errors. The new rules, which begin today (2 October), apply to children under 14 traveling with a parent or accompanying adult. Previously, a parent and child could be charged up to £104 (€122) for a return ticket to book seats together, and airlines charged up to £40 (€47) for correcting name errors.\n\nTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated, \"Parents should not have to feel the pinch just to sit next to their child on a flight, or for amending a simple booking error.\" The UK Transport Minister said that the move would give households more money and make flying safer for staff and passengers. The rules are in line with new EU air passenger regulations, which will also require airlines to offer free seat assignments and name correction for children and passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Airlines will no longer be allowed to charge for printed boarding passes. Ryanair, however, has criticized the UK's decision, stating that no such fees currently exist, as passengers have a 24-hour window to correct minor spelling mistakes.",
  "summary": "The new rules, announced by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, have now come into force.",
  "key_points": [
    "Airlines can no longer charge parents for seating children next to them on flights.",
    "No fees for correcting simple name errors on bookings.",
    "Rules align with EU air passenger regulations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}