The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ryanair over its policy of charging parents to sit with their children on flights. The watchdog will assess whether the practice aligns with consumer protection regulations.
CMA's concerns
Ryanair requires at least one parent to sit beside children aged between two and 11, enforced through a mandatory family seat fee typically costing around £8 each way. The CMA noted that paying for seat reservations is optional for other passengers, raising questions about whether parents are being charged for the airline to meet its child safety obligations under aviation rules.
According to the CMA, Ryanair is the only major UK-based airline to impose such a charge. Other carriers either offer free adjacent seating for families or automatically allocate seats together during booking without additional fees.
Ryanair's response
Ryanair dismissed the investigation as "bogus" and a "failed effort by the Starmer Government to pretend it cares about consumers." The airline insists its family seating policy fully complies with all laws and regulations, stating it does not charge for children to sit beside a parent, as parents only pay for one adult reserved seat. Ryanair also criticised the government for not abolishing Air Passenger Duty, which it claims would lower fares for all consumers.
Investigation details
The CMA's investigation will also examine whether the mandatory family seat fee is disclosed transparently during the booking process, or if it is "dripped" as an unexpected charge. The watchdog emphasised it is at an early stage and has not concluded that Ryanair has broken the law. Hayley Fletcher, senior director of consumer protection at the CMA, stated that families deserve upfront pricing, and businesses failing to display total costs face potential action.
