Budget airline Ryanair is under investigation for its policy of charging parents to sit with their children during flights. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into whether this practice complies with consumer law. Ryanair has criticized the investigation, calling it a “bogus” attempt by the government to show concern for consumers.
According to the CMA, Ryanair requires at least one parent to sit with children aged 2 to 11, through a mandatory family seat costing around £8 each way. This fee is not required for other passengers. The CMA is examining whether this charge is related to child safety and disability obligations set by aviation rules, noting that Ryanair is the only major UK airline imposing such a fee.
Other airlines seat children with parents without additional charges or automatically assign seats together at booking, unlike Ryanair’s policy. The investigation will also assess if Ryanair discloses the family seat fee transparently during booking, in line with consumer protection laws.
The CMA emphasized the importance of upfront pricing to prevent unexpected charges for families planning holidays. Ryanair defended its policy, stating it complies with all laws and regulations and saves families money compared to other airlines. The airline clarified that children can sit next to their parent without an extra fee and that parents only pay for one reserved seat when traveling with children.
In response to the investigation, Ryanair criticized the government for not abolishing air passenger duty, which it believes would reduce fares and benefit the aviation industry and economy. The airline expressed readiness to challenge the CMA’s allegations.
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