Ryanair Scraps Family Seating Fees After UK Regulator Pressure
Budget airline Ryanair has announced it will allow families to sit together without mandatory fees following an investigation by the UK's competition watchdog, bringing the carrier in line with other European airlines.
Ryanair announced on 25 June that it will permit families travelling with children aged 2-11 to be seated together at no extra charge, ending a controversial policy that required parents to pay around £8 per flight for guaranteed adjacent seating. The move follows sustained pressure from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which launched a formal investigation into the practice on 11 June 2026.
How the New Policy Works
Under the revised system, families who do not wish to pay for reserved seats will be automatically allocated adjacent seating during check-in, typically towards the rear of the aircraft. Parents can still opt to pay for preferred seat selection if they want specific locations. The airline described the change as "a minor policy tweak" made "reluctantly" to align with industry standards, though CEO Michael O'Leary criticised the regulator's intervention.
The CMA had argued that Ryanair's previous policy may have violated consumer fairness rules, as other UK airlines already seated children with parents free of charge. The investigation focused on whether parents were effectively being charged for the airline to meet child safety obligations already required under aviation regulations—a practice regulators described as potential "drip pricing."
What This Means for Travellers
If you're flying Ryanair with children, you'll no longer need to budget for mandatory family seating fees. However, if you want to choose specific seats or sit near the front of the cabin, you'll still need to pay. For free allocation, expect seats towards the rear and confirmation only after check-in. This policy change applies immediately and brings Ryanair in line with easyJet, British Airways, and other carriers serving UK routes.
Sources
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