Do UK Airlines Let You Sit Together? Check Out the Rules

For most travelers, sitting together with family or friends is an essential part of the flight experience. Whether it’s parents wanting to keep an eye on their children, couples enjoying a journey together, or friends starting a trip on the right note, no one likes being split up.

However, many airlines charge extra for seat selection, making it tricky to secure seats together without an additional cost.

In the UK, there’s no law requiring airlines to seat families together, but the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises airlines to place children under 12 in the same row—or at most one row or aisle apart—from their parents or guardians.

The CAA also recommends that passengers check seating policies before booking, as many airlines have different approaches to seat allocation.

Let’s take a closer look at how British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair handle seating arrangements and whether you need to pay extra to sit together.

British Airways

• British Airways allows passengers to select seats for free during online check-in, starting 24 hours before departure.
• However, Basic ticket holders are automatically assigned seats.
• The airline states that it tries to seat families together a few days before the flight, but availability may be limited, meaning seats could be spread across different rows or aisles.
• Passengers can pay in advance to guarantee specific seats.

easyJet

• easyJet offers the option to select seats for an extra fee, which can be paid during booking or later online.
• If passengers do not select a seat, the airline will automatically assign one at check-in.
• The system tries to allocate seats close to other passengers on the same booking, but there are no guarantees unless seats are paid for.

Jet2

• Jet2 operates on an allocated seating system, allowing passengers to select seats during booking or up to six hours before departure.
• If seats aren’t pre-booked, they are assigned at check-in on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The airline notes that seats across the aisle or in the row behind or in front are considered “together.”
• If passengers want to change their seats after booking, an additional charge applies.

Ryanair

• Ryanair offers two options: passengers can either pay for seat selection or receive a randomly assigned seat for free.
• Free seat allocation is done at check-in (available from two to 24 hours before departure), but there’s no guarantee that travel companions will be seated together.
• The airline advises reserving seats during booking to ensure sitting together.

If sitting together is a priority, it’s best to check airline policies before booking. While some carriers attempt to place passengers from the same booking close together, there’s no certainty unless seats are pre-selected for a fee.

Families, in particular, should be mindful of these policies to avoid last-minute surprises at check-in.