Ryanair changes family seating policy

Ryanair changes family seating policy after CMA investigation

6 reported

Ryanair has announced a policy change that will allow parents flying with young children to avoid a seat fee, following criticism from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The airline described the change as a "minor policy tweak" that will make "free parent seats" available in the rear of its aircraft for future bookings. The move comes two weeks after the CMA announced it was investigating the £8 mandatory fee Ryanair charges a parent to sit with their children. The CMA said the airline's terms require at least one parent to sit with their children, including those with disabilities, and bills them about £8 per flight to book a seat. Ryanair had previously criticized the "bogus investigation" and said it looked forward to disproving the CMA's "false" claims. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said families may lose out under the changes, stating that families may have to wait until after check-in to find out their seat allocation and are more likely to be seated at the rear of the cabin.

What’s reported

Ryanair announced a "minor policy tweak" offering "free parent seats" in the rear of its aircraft for future bookings.

The change follows a CMA investigation into the £8 mandatory fee Ryanair charges a parent to sit with their children.

The CMA said Ryanair's terms require at least one parent to sit with their children, including those with disabilities.

Ryanair had previously called the investigation "bogus" and said it looked forward to disproving the CMA's "false" claims.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said families may have to wait until after check-in to find out their seat allocation and are more likely to be seated at the rear of the cabin.

Ryanair stated its long-standing family seating policy "fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations."