The era of budget airlines separating families to upsell seat selection could soon be over.
In a landmark move, the European Union has approved sweeping reforms to air passenger rights promising fairer seating, clearer pricing, and stronger protections for travellers across the bloc.
Airlines will no longer be allowed to separate children under 14 from their accompanying adults during seat allocation
At the heart of the new regulation is a simple but widely welcomed rule: airlines will no longer be allowed to separate children under 14 from their accompanying adults during seat allocation unless passengers choose to sit apart.
Crucially, this must be done at no extra cost.
For families who’ve grown used to paying extra just to sit together on short-haul European flights, the change marks a significant shift in how airlines—particularly low-cost carriers—structure their pricing.
Ending the ‘Pay to Sit Together’ model
For years, many airlines have relied on a controversial tactic: assigning seats randomly to encourage passengers to pay additional fees for guaranteed seating. Families travelling with children were often the most affected, sometimes finding themselves split across rows or even aisles unless they paid up.
Under the new EU rules, that practice will effectively be banned.
Airlines must now:
- Allocate adjacent seats for children under 14 and their accompanying adults.
- Do so free of charge, removing the financial pressure on families.
- Extend similar protections to passengers with reduced mobility, disabilities, and pregnant travellers, ensuring appropriate seating without additional fees.
This isn’t just about convenience, it’s also a safety and accessibility issue, particularly on busy flights where cabin crew cannot easily assist separated families.
The EU’s goal is to make air fares comparisons more transparent
Beyond seating, the regulation takes aim at another long-standing frustration: misleading ticket prices.
Airlines will now be required to include the cost of one piece of hand luggage in the initial fare displayed on search engines and booking platforms. This means the headline price you see will more accurately reflect what you’ll actually pay.
Currently, ultra-low fares often exclude basics like cabin bags, with final costs increasing significantly during the booking process.
The EU’s goal is to make fare comparisons more honest and straightforward from the outset.
Passengers will still have flexibility:
- Travellers who don’t need hand luggage may be able to opt for a lower fare.
- However, the default advertised price must reflect a realistic, usable ticket.
Passenger compensation rules stay intact
The reform also preserves existing passenger compensation rights despite pressure from some member states to weaken them.
Travellers will continue to be entitled to compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours, with payouts ranging from €250 to €600 depending on distance.
This maintains one of the EU’s most consumer-friendly travel protections, which had been under threat during negotiations.
What it means for UK travellers
While the UK is no longer part of the EU, these changes will still affect British passengers flying with EU-based airlines or departing from EU airports.
Given how many UK holidaymakers rely on European carriers for short-haul travel, the impact will be widely felt—particularly during peak summer seasons.
It also raises questions about whether the UK might eventually adopt similar rules, especially as debates continue around border controls and passenger rights post-Brexit.
