Ryanair has adjusted its family seating policy after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into the airline charging parents to sit with their children on flights. The airline described the change as a "minor policy tweak" that will provide "free parent seats" in the rear of its aircraft for future bookings. All children on the booking will be allocated seats alongside their parents at no extra cost.
Background of the Investigation
Earlier this month, the CMA announced it had opened an investigation to determine whether Ryanair's previous policy complied with consumer law. Under the old rules, parents travelling with children aged between two and 11 were required to pay a fee—typically around £8 each way—to reserve what Ryanair called a mandatory family seat. Children were then allocated seats next to or near their parents free of charge.
Ryanair's Response and Criticism
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary criticized the CMA, accusing it of "turning a blind eye" to high fares charged by other airlines on routes without competition from the Dublin-based carrier. He stated: "The CMA has now targeted our family seating policy which has been universally embraced by consumers as the most progressive and transparent in Europe. Instead of promoting competitiveness and lower fares for consumers, the CMA is on a mission to force Ryanair to adopt the less transparent and less consumer-friendly family seating policy applied by most other airlines – just because it’s the industry standard."
O'Leary added that Ryanair would "reluctantly adjust to this industry standard" to avoid wasting time explaining to "misguided regulators" how they misunderstand consumer interests. Under the revised policy, families may have to wait until after check-in to learn their seat allocation and are more likely to be seated at the rear of the cabin. Ryanair said the change will be "revenue neutral."
Consumer Advocacy Reaction
Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, welcomed the change but expressed skepticism. He said: "It should never have required Which? to report Ryanair’s unfair seating policy to the CMA to prompt action on these unjustified charges. It was never fair to charge parents to sit next to children as young as three. It’s clear Ryanair is unhappy about being dragged into doing the right thing, so Which? will be monitoring the implications of this policy and whether all parents are seated next to their children without charge over the next few months."
New Policy Details
Under the new policy, parents still have the option to pay for seat selection if they prefer a specific seat, with children seated alongside them free of charge. The CMA was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of reporting.
