Families jetting off on holiday with Ryanair are being hit with a fresh wave of anxiety and potential extra costs due to a stringent new seating policy. The budget airline has implemented rules that could see parents separated from their children unless they pay additional fees to secure adjacent seats.
The policy, which has not been widely publicised, means that standard seat assignments are now made automatically at check-in. For families who do not pay to pre-select their seats, this automated system offers no guarantee that young children will be placed with their parents, a move that has sparked outrage among travellers.
How the New Ryanair Seating System Works
Under the new framework, passengers who opt for the airline's free check-in service are randomly assigned their seats. This has always been the case, but the airline has now explicitly stated that it does not ensure families will be seated together.
To guarantee that your family sits together, you must purchase 'Reserved Seating'. This can add a significant cost to your budget flight, with fees starting from £4/€4 per person, per flight segment for a standard seat. For those wanting extra legroom or front-row seats, the price skyrockets even further.
The Financial Impact on Families
For a family of four on a return journey, the cost of pre-booking seats to ensure they can all sit together could add an extra £32 to £64 or more to the total cost of their trip. This hidden fee turns a seemingly cheap flight into a considerably more expensive endeavour, catching many parents off guard.
Consumer groups and family travel advocates have criticised the policy, labelling it a "stealth tax on families" that preys on the natural desire of parents to keep their children close and supervised during a flight.
What Can Parents Do?
While the policy seems rigid, there are steps you can take to mitigate the cost and stress:
- Book Early: Seat reservation fees are often cheaper when booked well in advance at the time of flight purchase.
- Check-In Immediately: The moment online check-in opens (usually 24 hours before departure for non-priority customers), check in to increase your chances of being assigned seats together automatically, though this is not guaranteed.
- Politely Ask at the Gate: While not a sure solution, gate agents and cabin crew can sometimes assist by asking other passengers to swap seats, but they are not obligated to do so.
The key takeaway for families is to read the fine print carefully. Ryanair's low base fares often come with a web of additional charges, and seating is now a primary one. To avoid a stressful start to your holiday, factoring in the cost of seat reservations is now an essential part of booking with the airline.
