EU mandates airlines seat kids under 14 next to parents for free
On June 15, the EU Council greenlit an overhaul of airline passenger rights, replacing the 2004 regulation, and the European Parliament backed it with 646 votes in favor. The big headline: children under 14 are entitled to sit next to their parents or guardians at no extra cost. At the same time, the rule formally allows airlines to charge for checked luggage.
- For passengers: no more paying extra to seat your child next to you. Airlines must assign adjacent seats for free.
- For airlines: a green light to monetize checked baggage, edging closer to the pure low-cost model.
The reform, effective 20 days after publication in the Official Journal, is an asymmetric win-win: travelers gain family-friendly rights, but carriers win freedom to charge for luggage. As Hosteltur explains, it rewrites the rules of revenue distribution. The result? Lower base fares and more paid extras. Welcome to the new era of European aviation.
Quick questions
What age group gets free adjacent seats with parents?
Can airlines now charge for checked luggage?
When does the new passenger rights rule take effect?
Does this apply to flights outside the EU?
How does this impact low-cost airlines?
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