Ryanair has clarified its seat policy, confirming that not all passengers can sit in emergency exit rows for "safety reasons". The airline says only those who meet six requirements can occupy these seats.
According to Ryanair, passengers can sit in an emergency exit seat only if they are:
- 16 years or older
- Willing and able to help in the event of an emergency
- Travelling without an infant (this also applies to passengers with seats leading to emergency exit rows)
- Not requiring airport assistance of any kind
- Not requiring a seat belt extender
- Not having booked an extra comfort seat
Ryanair adds: "Only non-disabled adults are permitted to sit at emergency seat rows as you may be called upon to assist crew members in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation."
Seat policy and random allocation
Ryanair offers passengers the option to pay a variable fee to reserve a seat, or to select a free random seat assignment during check-in. For customers who have purchased reserved seats, online check-in opens 60 days before departure.
The airline advises that random seat allocation allows check-in between 24 hours and 2 hours before the flight departure time. If a passenger buys a seat at booking, during check-in or at any point before the flight, that seat is reserved for them, and online check-in opens 60 days ahead. Reserved seat prices vary depending on the seat location chosen on the aircraft.
Family seating rules
For safety reasons, children aged between 2 and 11 must sit next to an accompanying adult, and infants (8 days to 23 months inclusive) must sit on an accompanying adult's lap. Families can choose to reserve seats or select free random allocation.
If families reserve seats, children must be seated next to the adult's reserved seat, and online check-in opens 60 days before departure. If random allocation is selected, children are seated next to an accompanying adult on the same reservation for free, while other adults and teens on the booking may be allocated seats separately.
