Ryanair, the low‑cost Irish carrier, has updated its family seating policy, allowing parents travelling with young children to sit beside them without paying a reserved seat fee. The revision follows an investigation launched by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into whether Ryanair’s previous charging structure was fair under consumer law.
Under the old arrangement, adults travelling with children were required to pay a one‑seat fee for the parent, while the seats for up to four accompanying children were allocated for free. That policy typically added an estimated £8 per way, leading the CMA to question whether the practice was a legitimate enforcement of safety and disability‑related responsibilities as defined by aviation regulations.
O'Leary, Ryanair’s boss, described the change as a “reluctant adjustment” but maintained that the long‑standing policy was fully compliant with the law and had provided families with certainty about seat placement at time of booking. He criticized the CMA’s intervention, arguing that it was forcing the airline to adopt a less consumer‑friendly model used by many other carriers.
The new policy, which the airline says will not affect its revenue, will see free parent seats offered in the rear of the aircraft, where front rows remain typically reserved. The CMA, meanwhile, stated that it will thoroughly assess whether the updated policy meets legal standards, noting that families will no longer have to pay for mandatory family seats.
Consumer protection body Which? highlighted its concerns in the past about Ryanair’s seating charges and praised the CMA’s scrutiny. The organization will monitor whether parents are consistently seated next to their children at no cost following the policy shift.
