Passengers who seriously disrupt flights or behave dangerously could find themselves banned from travelling with multiple airlines under new measures being developed by the UK Government.

The Department for Transport is working with airlines and aviation trade unions on a new system that would allow carriers to share information about passengers who have been banned for serious disruptive behaviour.

The move is part of a wider package of aviation reforms that will also stop airlines charging parents simply to sit with their children and remove fees for correcting straightforward mistakes on bookings.

More than 1,000 serious incidents in a year

More than 1,000 serious disruptive passenger incidents were recorded by airlines during 2025, according to government figures.

These can include aggressive and threatening behaviour, violence towards passengers or crew, refusing to follow safety instructions and incidents involving excessive alcohol consumption.

At present, a passenger banned by one airline may still be able to book and fly with another carrier.

The proposed information-sharing system is designed to make it easier for airlines to identify passengers who have previously been banned elsewhere and decide whether they should also be prevented from travelling.

The Government says any system would need appropriate safeguards surrounding how passenger information is shared and used.

Significant for flights to the Canary Islands

The proposals will be particularly relevant to busy leisure routes such as those connecting the UK with Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

Millions of British holidaymakers travel to the islands each year, with numerous low-cost and leisure airlines operating services from airports across the UK.

Disruptive behaviour on holiday flights can have serious consequences, ranging from delays and diversions to police meeting an aircraft when it lands.

The planned changes are intended to give airlines another tool to tackle repeat offenders rather than dealing with each incident entirely in isolation.

Parents won't have to pay to sit with children

The Government has also announced significant changes to airline seating charges.

Airlines will be required to ensure children under 14 are seated with a parent or accompanying adult without charging the family extra.

Government figures suggest a parent and child can currently pay up to £104 on a return journey to guarantee they are seated together.

The change will not necessarily give families free choice of any seats on the aircraft. Airlines will still be able to charge passengers who want to select particular seats, but they will have to ensure a child under 14 is seated with an accompanying adult without an additional charge.

Simple name corrections to become free

Another measure will prevent airlines charging passengers to correct simple mistakes in names on bookings.

Some travellers can currently face charges of up to £40 to rectify straightforward errors.

The new protection will apply to genuine corrections rather than allowing passengers to transfer tickets to completely different people for free.

When will the changes take effect?

The reforms have been announced but are not yet in force, meaning existing airline policies continue to apply for now.

The measures are linked to the UK's Civil Aviation Bill and will be implemented following the necessary legislative process.

The Government's intention is for passengers to benefit from the new protections in time for the 2027 summer holiday season.