Ryanair's hidden family seat fees investigated by UK watchdog
If you’re planning a budget family holiday this summer, here’s something worth knowing: the UK’s competition watchdog is investigating Ryanair over charges it imposes on parents who want to sit next to their children on flights.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into whether Ryanair’s “mandatory family seat” fees — typically costing around £8 per journey — breach consumer law. Under aviation rules, airlines must seat parents with children aged 2 to 11. Ryanair charges parents for this legally required arrangement, which the CMA believes may be unfair.
What makes this significant is that Ryanair appears to be the only major UK airline imposing such a charge. Most competitors either seat children with parents automatically during booking at no extra cost, or offer the option free of charge.
How the charges work
Ryanair’s current policy lets adults pay for one reserved seat, then select reserved seats next to it for up to four children free. However, the CMA is investigating whether these fees are “dripped” into your booking — meaning you don’t see the full cost upfront when you start booking. This tactic can be a nasty shock when families discover the final price is much higher than expected.
What happens next
The CMA’s investigation has just started, and no conclusions have been reached yet. However, the watchdog has given notice to businesses nationwide that it expects total prices to be shown upfront. Companies that don’t comply face fines up to 10% of global turnover.
Ryanair has dismissed the investigation as “bogus” and says it complies with all relevant laws.
What you should do
If you’re booking a family flight with Ryanair or any airline, always check the full breakdown of costs before committing. Look for any “family seat” or mandatory reservation fees, and factor these into your budget. Compare total prices across airlines, not just base fares. If you’ve been charged unexpectedly for child seat reservations, consider complaining to the airline and reporting it to the CMA at www.cma.org.uk.