An MEP wants parents and children to be given seats beside each other on EU flights with no extra charge.
Regina Doherty wants the EU to bring in laws to allow parents and children sit together for free, as part of a review into passenger rights
The Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, says while Irish airlines, Ryanair and Aer Lingus, will allow parents to reserve seats for children for free, it's not the case for all carriers.
"Children sitting apart from their parent or guardian is a child safety issue".
Irish passport with airplane boarding pass on suitcase. Image: Nicola K photos / Alamy. 20 July 2020Ryanair says it allows seats for up to four children, aged between two and 12 years old, to be reserved for each adult ticket booked.
Regina Doherty, says extra charges for families to sit beside each other is wrong.
"You know, to put Mary and Johnny sitting beside Mammy and Daddy, I shouldn't be charged an extra €12.50 per child. It should be included in the ticket.
"It shouldn't be anybody else's responsibility on an airline to look after children, whether they're under 12 or 13, or 14, families should be allowed sit together.
"We should be safeguarding children and no airline should be allowed to make money off the back of what this is called as an additional extra".
However, Eoghan Corry, Editor of TravelExtra.ie, says allowing parents and children to reserve seating for free, could lead to higher air fares for all passengers.
