Ryanair is facing a probe by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over its practice of charging parents to sit with their children on flights. The watchdog will determine whether this practice complies with consumer law.
CMA Investigation Details
The CMA stated that Ryanair requires at least one parent to sit with children aged 2 to 11, but does so through a mandatory family seat costing about £8 each way. While other passengers can opt out of seat reservations, parents are forced to pay this fee. The CMA is investigating whether this charge violates consumer protection rules, particularly regarding the presentation of unavoidable fees during the booking process.
Ryanair's Response
Ryanair dismissed the investigation as "bogus" and accused the Starmer Government of pretending to care about consumers. The airline insists its family seating policy complies with all laws and saves families money. It claims it does not charge for children to sit beside a parent, but only for one adult reserved seat.
The CMA's Hayley Fletcher emphasized that extra charges can quickly increase holiday costs and that businesses must show total prices upfront. The investigation is in its early stages, with no conclusions yet.
