Ryanair has implemented a new family seating policy effective Thursday, following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into charges for parents to sit with their children. The budget airline described the change as a "minor policy tweak."
Policy Change Details
Under the previous policy, adults traveling with children paid one reserved seat fee and could select seats beside them for up to four children for free, resulting in a fee of £8 each way. The CMA launched an investigation into this charge earlier this month. Now, adults who do not wish to pay for a reserved seat will be informed of their free seat allocation after check-in, a practice Ryanair says aligns with most other European airlines.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary stated the airline would "reluctantly adjust to this industry standard," but emphasized that its long-standing policy fully complied with laws and gave families "certainty" about seating at the time of booking. He criticized the CMA for targeting Ryanair's policy, which he claimed was "universally embraced by consumers as the most progressive and transparent in Europe."
Industry and Consumer Impact
O'Leary added: "Instead of promoting competitiveness and lower fares for consumers, the CMA is on a mission to force Ryanair to adopt the less transparent and less consumer-friendly family seating policy applied by most other airlines – just because it's the industry standard." The airline noted that "free parent seats" will now be available at the back of the aircraft, as front rows tend to be reserved.
A CMA spokesperson responded: "Ryanair claims its seating policy now complies with the law, and we'll test that thoroughly. If true, it's a win for families – who will no longer have to pay to sit with their children – and it shows the impact our new powers are having. But it doesn't change the fact families have been paying for 'mandatory family seats.' Our investigation remains ongoing."
