- England’s Competition and Markets Authority started investigation into Ryanair.
- Charge typically costs around €9 each way.
- Ryanair policy applies to family seat reservations.
- Adults pay one reserved seat fee.
- Children up to four travel on same booking free of charge.
England’s Competition and Markets Authority has launched an investigation into Ryanair over fees that parents pay to sit with their children. The regulator examines the mandatory family seat charge that typically costs around €9 each way. Ryanair maintains the policy complies with aviation rules on child safety.
Statements on behalf of the Competition and Markets Authority say they will check whether the contract term counts as unfair under consumer law.
In response, Ryanair states that adults pay one reserved seat fee and select seats beside them for up to four children free of charge on the same booking. Other airlines seat children with parents without extra paid reservations or allocate seats automatically.
Hayley Fletcher shared “Our investigation will consider Ryanair’s approach to family seat reservations and how the cost is presented to consumers to determine whether they comply with consumer law. For the past year we have told businesses to ensure their customers see the total price upfront.”
Ryanair shared “Ryanair does not charge any fee for children to sit beside their parent or accompanying adult. This means that parents travelling with children pay for only one adult reserved seat but pay nothing for the four other reserved seats for their children.”
