Government Bans Rip Off Airline Charges In New Crackdown – How Much Will You Save?

Airlines will be banned from charging parents extra to sit with their children on planes under a new government crackdown. But how much will it save holidaymakers?

Under the new rule, airlines must seat passengers aged under 14 next to their parents or an accompanying adult for free. It forms part of a government crackdown announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the “little charges that add up,” when families travel.

Passengers will also be given more flexibility to correct simple name errors on a booking for free, instead of paying exorbitant administrative charges.

While most UK airlines already offer protection against hidden costs, the new reforms will give passengers more consistency on all airlines operating in the UK.

The changes are expected to come into effect from next year’s summer holidays.

How much could you save on flights?

The new rules could help save travellers hundreds on their journeys.

Parents with a child could save around £104 on a return flight to ensure they are seated next to their child, according to government estimates.

Travellers could also save around £40 on unnecessary admin charges if they need to make a minor change to the flight booking information.

How to save on flights

If you’re planning a holiday, the following steps could also help you save hundreds on your trip and secure good value:

Book in advance: typically the earlier you book your flights, the cheaper they will be. Airlines release flights around a year in advance so planning ahead can help you get a good deal.

Shop around: using flight comparison websites such as Skyscanner and Kayak can help you identify the cheapest airlines to travel with. However, the lowest quoted price might not mean you pay less in the end. Always check what’s included, for example, will you need to pay to add hand luggage or choose a seat? Keeping these in mind will help you get the best value in the long run.

Set up price alerts: there isn’t a concrete science to how and when flight prices change. One of the best ways to track them is by setting up a price alert which lets you know if a flight is within your budget. It also saves you from continually checking price comparison sites.

Be flexible: when looking at flights, where possible, tweak the date and time you travel to see if it reduces your flight price.

Maximise deals: airlines often offer promotional periods with cheap or discounted flights. Keeping an eye out for sale days or signing up for alerts when they go live can help you get a good deal on your next flight.

Use points: using any airline rewards such as Avios or Virgin Points towards your flight can help you cut the cost of travelling. Some reward credit card providers also offer perks like a free companion ticket when you meet the spending threshold, which could save you hundreds.