New rules in air travel proposed – “Connecting” parents with children reduces ticket prices

As part of the new European Union regulation that brought the biggest reform in air travel in the last two decades, one of the items refers to changes to the rights of parents traveling with children under the age of 14.

According to the new regulation, which includes a large number of innovations, passengers will apparently have far greater rights than before.

Teenagers save money

When it comes to traveling by parents with minor children, more precisely, children under the age of 14, the new changes will save money on tickets.

Namely, until now, the practice, most often in low-cost companies, has involved charging for seat selection.

However, from next year, when the new rules begin to be implemented, airlines will have to “connect” parents and children, rather than charge them extra for it.

– A new rule is being introduced for parents traveling with children. From now on, airlines will have to sell tickets for flights with connected seats. More precisely, the parent and the child will sit together, next to each other, and they will not be allowed to charge them extra for this, which is what low-cost airlines have been doing so far. This rule also applies to passengers with disabilities and their companions, who will also sit together from next year, without any additional charge – explains Luka Popovic, editor of the Ex Yu Aviation portal, to Nova.rs.

Ticket price for children unchanged

As for ticket prices for children older than two years, for now, Popovic points out, there will be no changes.

- Children under two years old travel free of charge on some airlines, and in some cases, they pay half the ticket price. However, when they turn two years old, they pay the same price as adults, which remains unchanged. These new rules in air transport do not cover that part. They relate exclusively to the seating arrangement of parents and children on the plane – says Popovic.

Fees for checked baggage to be abolished

The rules adopted by the member states and the European Parliament apply, among other things, to hand luggage.

Namely, airlines will no longer be able to charge passengers an additional fee for bringing small suitcases onto the plane, a practice first introduced by low-cost airlines and then followed by others.

– I think this is the biggest blow to airlines because they will probably have to regulate ticket prices. There will no longer be a surcharge for up to eight kilograms. We will see how much and whether tickets will be more expensive, but I am sure that low-cost companies will be creative with prices – emphasizes Popovic.

The new rules, however, have yet to be voted on.

– This is just a formality, which will be completed by the end of this year. The important thing is that a consensus has been reached – says Popovic.

We remind that the new rules apply to the total ticket price with hand luggage included, and also to easier compensation in the event of flight delays and cancellations, all the way up to the above-mentioned rules for passengers traveling with children.

Although Serbia is not a member of the EU, the changes will apply to a large number of citizens who use European airlines and flights connecting with member states.

The new rules will come into force at the beginning of next year.

European Parliament

Ex Yu Aviation

Luka Popović

air travel

rules