Planning a summer getaway from London? If you’re flying out of Stansted or Gatwick with toddlers, your holiday budget might be in for a nasty shock before you even pack a bag.

Yes, the controversial Ryanair family seating policy has finally changed, but airlines are still quietly draining parents’ wallets through obscure infant fees. The frustrating reality? Sometimes, holding a baby on your lap costs more than your own seat. Here is exactly what UK families need to know before hitting the checkout screen.

What Exactly is the New Ryanair Family Seating Policy?

The direct answer: Ryanair no longer forces you to pay extra just to sit next to your kids.

After pressure from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Ryanair reluctantly dropped its “mandatory family seat” fee. Previously, parents traveling with children aged 2 to 11 were strong-armed into paying extra just to ensure they weren’t separated in the cabin.

When I flew out of London Stansted to Italy last year, I used to dread the seat-selection screen, watching the price jump just so I could hold my four-year-old’s hand during turbulence. Now, their system automatically assigns free seats together. But don’t celebrate just yet—the base fare is only a fraction of what you’ll actually pay.

Why Do Lap Infants Cost More Than Adults on Budget Airlines?

It defies all logic, but a baby taking up zero physical seat space can cost more than a grown adult. This happens because budget carriers apply flat fees for infants regardless of ticket sales.

For example, Wizz Air charges a flat fee of around £28 (€32) per flight for an infant to sit on your lap. If you snag a promotional £14.99 adult fare to Málaga, your seatless baby is literally paying double. Consumer groups argue this makes zero sense, as babies don’t take up physical space. The airlines simply defend it as standard industry practice.

Also read – London Ryanair Flyers Using This Free Hack to Avoid …

Which Hidden Airline Charges Hit London Families the Hardest?

Taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges are the real budget killers for UK families. Let’s look beyond the budget airlines to traditional carriers.

If you book a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to New York, you’ll encounter a maze of extra costs. A base infant ticket might look like a steal at £30. But after adding passenger service charges, UK airport landing fees, and security taxes, that £30 climbs to over £162. An adult ticket on the same route comes with up to 11 hidden line items.

Quick Look at Family Flight Policies (2026)

When Booking: Helpful Tips to Outsmart Airline Fees

Don’t let the checkout screen bully you. Follow these specific steps to protect your travel budget:

• Run the math on a separate seat: If the flat lap fee is aggressively high, check if buying a dirt-cheap adult seat for your infant and bringing an airline-approved car seat is actually cheaper (and infinitely more comfortable).
• Skip the premium seat selector: If you’re flying Wizz Air or Ryanair with young children, rely on their updated automated systems. Wizz guarantees at least one adult sits with a child under 14. Save your money and skip the paid seating page.
• Watch your layovers: Passenger service charges compound at every single airport. A direct flight out of Gatwick might have a slightly higher base fare, but fewer accumulated transit taxes than a flight with a layover.