Ryanair has issued a reminder to families about its strict age-based ticket policy, which could affect passengers born in 2010, 2014, or 2024. The budget airline categorizes travelers into four groups: adults (16+), teens (12-15), children (2-11), and infants (under 2). These categories are determined by the passenger's age on the date of departure, meaning that birthdays occurring during a trip can lead to complications.
How Age Changes Affect Tickets
If a child turns two, 12, or 16 while abroad, parents must adjust their bookings to avoid penalties. For example, an infant who becomes a child during the holiday cannot travel on the same ticket for the return flight. Ryanair advises booking two one-way tickets instead of a return ticket in such cases, and then contacting the airline to connect the bookings.
Teen Pricing and Seat Selection
Teens aged 12-15 are priced the same as adults but may lose free seat selection offered to under-12s. Changing a child or teen ticket to an adult online is generally free, but child passengers will forfeit free seat selection and must pay for a new seat when they age out of the under-12s offer. The cost varies by flight and seat choice.
Advice for Families
Ryanair strongly recommends that families check their children's ages before booking and update passenger types promptly if needed. Failure to comply could result in extra fees or boarding issues. The airline's website has a dedicated section for changing passenger types after booking.
In other news, Ryanair is offering flights to Spain that are cheaper than a dinner out, as highlighted by Spain Explore on Instagram. Some routes from the UK to Barcelona are particularly affordable, making them attractive for budget-conscious travelers.
