Flights: EU moves to end family seating and typo correction fees
New agreement could change how airlines charge and so-called ‘hidden’ fees
If adopted, airlines would no longer be allowed to charge extra for seating parents next to their children
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EU member states have backed plans to overhaul air passenger rights rules. The changes, which are due for final approval later today, June 15, could end charges for parents to sit next to their children and for correcting booking typos.
The agreement preserves the current three-hour threshold for flight delay compensation, while keeping the amounts unchanged between €250 and €600 depending on distance.
It forms part of a long-running reform of EU Regulation 261/2004, which sets rules on delays, cancellations and denied boarding. It is set to be put forward for approval by the European Parliament this afternoon, followed by a plenary vote on July 8 and final adoption by EU ministers. No changes to the deal are expected, but it is not yet legally binding.
If adopted, airlines would no longer be allowed to charge extra for seating parents next to their children, and would be prevented from charging fees for correcting minor booking errors such as a spelling mistake in a passenger’s name.
In some cases, correcting a passenger’s name (if the error is more than three characters) can cost up to around €110 online and €160 via customer service, depending on the airline.
These changes aim to improve transparency around airline pricing, particularly regarding so-called “hidden fees” added during the booking process.
The European Parliament also pushed for additional measures, such as a free baggage allowance of up to 7kg, but these proposals were not included in the final compromise.
European Parliament negotiators welcomed the preservation of the three-hour threshold, saying it represents a defence of existing passenger rights.
“The European Parliament promised passengers that their rights would not move backwards, and we didn’t give up. Today’s decision by EU member states confirms it. The three-hour threshold is preserved. Compensation is preserved. New rights are added beyond the status quo.” said Andrey Novakov MEP, the European Parliament’s chief negotiator, in a statement from the EPP Group (European People’s Party Group).
However, the decision is not as welcome for airlines, which pay around €8.1 billion per year due to this law, according to the European Commission.
Ryanair under pressure over family seating charges
The issue of family seating has also become controversial outside the EU legislative process.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ryanair over its “mandatory family seat” policy, which requires at least one parent travelling with children aged 2 to 11 to pay a fee to reserve seats together.
The regulator is examining whether the charge, typically around €8 per flight, may be unfair under consumer law and whether it is sufficiently transparent during the booking process.
Ryanair has rejected the claims, calling the investigation “bogus” and insisting its policy complies with all relevant rules. The airline argues that parents only pay for one reserved adult seat and may sit up to four children next to them without additional charge.
Consumer groups, however, argue that the system can significantly increase the cost of family travel and may amount to hidden pricing.
