# EU mandates airlines seat kids under 14 next to parents for free

Canonical-URL: https://notitur.com/en/digest/airlines-eu-children-free-seats
Text-Version: https://notitur.com/en/digest/airlines-eu-children-free-seats.txt
Markdown-Version: https://notitur.com/en/digest/airlines-eu-children-free-seats.md
Language: en
Published: 2026-07-08T09:15:52.201Z
Modified: 2026-07-08T11:16:08.404Z
Author: Joan Sanz
Topics: Airlines
Summary: New air passenger rights rules let airlines charge for cabin bags but require free adjacent seats for minors with guardians. A game-changer.

## Article

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](https://www.hosteltur.com/177386_la-nueva-normativa-sobre-los-derechos-de-los-pasajeros-que-implica-para-usuarios-y-aerolineas.html) 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.

## Sources

- Hosteltur: https://www.hosteltur.com/177386_la-nueva-normativa-sobre-los-derechos-de-los-pasajeros-que-implica-para-usuarios-y-aerolineas.html

## Citation

EU mandates airlines seat kids under 14 next to parents for free. Notitur. 2026-07-08. https://notitur.com/en/digest/airlines-eu-children-free-seats