Ryanair has changed its family seating policy following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into charging parents to sit with their children on flights. The airline now offers free parent seats in the rear of the aircraft, with children allocated seats alongside them at no extra cost.
Policy Change Details
Previously, Ryanair required parents traveling with children aged 2 to 11 to pay a mandatory family seat fee of around £8 each way to reserve seats together. Under the new policy, parents can still pay to choose their own seats, with children seated beside them free of charge, but the default option provides free rear-cabin seating.
CMA Investigation
The CMA launched an inquiry earlier this month to assess whether Ryanair's earlier policy complied with consumer law. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary criticized the regulator, accusing it of ignoring high fares on uncompetitive routes. 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.” He added that Ryanair would reluctantly adjust to the industry standard, noting that families may now be seated at the rear of the cabin after check-in.
Industry Reaction
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, 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.” He confirmed Which? will monitor the policy's implementation to ensure all parents are seated with their children without charge.
Ryanair described the change as revenue neutral. The CMA has been approached for comment.
