Ryanair Updates Family Seating Policy Following Investigation
Ryanair has revised its family seating policy to permit parents to sit alongside their young children without incurring a seat reservation fee, following the initiation of an investigation.
Adults traveling with children who opt not to pay for a reserved seat will now be informed of their free seat allocation after check-in. Ryanair stated this adjustment aligns with the practices of most other European airlines.
Chief Executive Michael O'Leary commented on the change, stating it was a reluctant adaptation to the industry norm but emphasized that the airline's previous policy was fully compliant with laws and provided families with certainty.
"We will reluctantly adjust to this industry standard," said Michael O'Leary, "but our long-standing policy fully complied with laws and gave families certainty."
This policy revision follows the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) announcement that it was investigating whether Ryanair's prior policy was unfair under consumer law.
Details of Previous and Updated Policies
Under the former policy, Ryanair required adults traveling with children to pay one reserved seat fee, allowing them to select seats beside them for up to four children at no additional cost.
The CMA noted that this typically resulted in a fee of £8 each way. When launching its investigation earlier in the month, the CMA stated it was examining whether the airline's approach to seat reservations effectively charged parents for the airline to fulfill child safety and disability-related obligations mandated by aviation regulations.
"We are investigating whether the airline's approach to seat reservations may mean parents are being charged for the airline to meet its child safety and disability‑related obligations as set out under aviation rules – and will determine whether this practice aligns with consumer law," the CMA said.
The CMA also highlighted that other airlines either seat children next to a parent or without a fee or automatically allocate seats together during booking at no charge.
Ryanair defended its policy, asserting that it provided families with certainty regarding seating arrangements at the time of booking, a feature valued by customers.
The airline further explained that the "free parent seats" will now be allocated at the rear of the aircraft, as front rows are generally reserved.
This minor policy adjustment took effect on Thursday. Ryanair does not anticipate that the change will impact its revenue.
Reactions and Industry Context
Michael O'Leary criticized the CMA for scrutinizing Ryanair's family seating policy, which he described as "universally embraced by consumers as the most progressive and transparent in Europe."
"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," O'Leary said.
The CMA has been contacted for comment regarding the policy change.
Consumer rights organization Which?, which had previously drawn attention to Ryanair's seating policy, stated that Ryanair should not have required the CMA's intervention to address the "unjustified charges."
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: "It's clear Ryanair is unhappy about being dragged into doing the right thing, so Which? will be monitoring the implications of this policy and whether all parents are seated next to their children without charge over the next few months."
Ryanair investigated over charging parents to sit with children
