In a landmark move for family holidays, Jet2.com has torn up the rulebook on airline seating, announcing a monumental policy shift that will save parents hundreds of pounds and eliminate pre-flight anxiety.
The budget carrier, a favourite for UK travellers seeking sun, will now automatically guarantee that children aged 12 and under are seated with at least one accompanying adult completely free of charge. This decisive action addresses the single biggest pain point for families flying with budget airlines.
Ending the Pre-Flight 'Seat Scramble'
Gone are the days of the stressful online check-in dash, where parents frantically refreshed apps hoping to find adjacent seats. The previous system often left families with a difficult choice: pay often exorbitant fees to select seats together in advance or risk being separated across the aircraft.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, stated the company's mission was to provide a "truly customer-friendly solution". He emphasised that families should be focused on the excitement of their holiday, not worrying about being split up on the plane.
How the New Policy Works
The new system is designed for simplicity and peace of mind:
- The policy is automatic for all bookings on Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.
- It applies to children up to and including the age of 12.
- The airline's system will algorithmically assign seats to ensure the child is next to at least one parent or guardian.
- There is absolutely no cost for this service, representing a potential saving of up to £100 or more per family on return flights.
This proactive approach fundamentally changes the dynamic of booking a family holiday, moving the burden of seating logistics from the customer to the airline.
A Competitive Advantage in the Family Market
This customer-centric policy is a direct challenge to other budget airlines, many of which rely on seat selection fees as a significant revenue stream. By absorbing this cost, Jet2 positions itself as the undisputed family-friendly choice, potentially shifting market share for the upcoming summer season.
The move has been warmly welcomed by travel commentators and consumer advocacy groups, who have long criticised the practice of splitting up family groups to upsell seat reservations. It sets a new industry standard for what families should rightfully expect from their airline.
For millions of UK parents planning their next escape, the message is clear: the sky just became a much friendlier place.
