In brief
Ryanair’s long‑standing policy of charging parents a reserved seat fee for child passengers has been altered following an investigation by the UK CMA. The airline will now offer free seats to parents for the duration of the flight. CEO Michael O’Leary begrudgingly accepts the change and calls it an industry standard, while the CMA continues to test the policy’s compliance. Consumer groups highlight the implications for families and the airline’s revenue.
Ryanair has moved to let parents sit with their young children for free, following a formal investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The change drops the previously mandatory seat reservation fee that had cost families roughly £8 for many flights.
Under the old policy parents paid for a single reserved seat plus a complimentary seat on a child’s side, allowing up to four children to sit free. The new arrangement permits parents to reserve a seat for the back rows of the aircraft, with no additional charge, mirroring the policy of most other European airlines.
Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said the adjustment was “reluctant” but necessary to meet what the CMA considers the industry standard, adding that Ryanair’s original policy had previously provided families with certainty.
The CMA remains in the testing phase, confirming whether the policy complies with consumer law. In a statement, the CMA noted that while the buy‑in has been dissolved, the investigation continues.
Consumer‑rights group Which? echoes the industry concerns, announcing that it will monitor the implementation of the new policy to ensure that parents are indeed seated next to their children without fee.
Ryanair claims the change will not affect its revenue figures, while critics question whether the company will be compelled to adopt a less transparent policy in the future.
