Budget airline Ryanair is under scrutiny for its policy of charging parents to sit with their children during flights. The Competition and Markets Authority is investigating whether this practice aligns with consumer laws. Ryanair has criticized the probe, labeling it as baseless and an attempt by the government to feign concern for consumers.
The Irish carrier mandates that at least one parent accompanies children aged between two and 11, with the requirement of a “mandatory family seat” costing around £8 each way. This fee is optional for other passengers. The CMA is examining whether Ryanair’s approach results in parents being charged for the airline to fulfill its obligations regarding child safety and disability under aviation regulations. Notably, Ryanair is the sole major airline departing from the UK that imposes such charges, according to the watchdog.
In contrast, other airlines offer to seat children with a parent without the need for a paid reservation or automatically assign seats together during booking. The investigation will also assess whether Ryanair transparently discloses the mandatory family seat fee during the booking process, ensuring all charges are presented upfront. The CMA emphasized that it is in the early stages of the investigation and has not reached any conclusions regarding potential legal violations.
Hayley Fletcher, the CMA’s senior director of consumer protection, highlighted concerns about extra charges affecting families planning summer vacations. The investigation will evaluate Ryanair’s family seat reservation policy and the clarity of cost presentation to consumers to determine compliance with consumer protection laws. The CMA warned that businesses failing to disclose total prices upfront may face enforcement actions.
Ryanair defended its family seating policy, asserting compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, emphasizing cost savings for families traveling with the UK’s lowest fare airline. The airline clarified that it does not charge children to sit next to their parents, and parents traveling with children only pay for one reserved adult seat.
In response to the investigation, Ryanair criticized the CMA’s motives, accusing the government of overlooking opportunities to reduce air passenger duty and enhance fare affordability. The airline anticipates refuting the CMA’s allegations.