UK Launches Investigation Into Airline Over Family Seating Charges
The United Kingdom’s competition regulator has opened an investigation into budget airline Ryanair over fees charged to parents who want to sit next to their children during flights.
According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the airline requires at least one parent to sit with children aged between two and 11 years. However, this arrangement involves paying a mandatory “family seating” fee, which is typically around £8 per flight.
The regulator is now examining whether these charges are fair under consumer protection laws, especially since seat selection for other passengers is usually optional.
The CMA stated that it will assess whether the policy effectively forces parents to pay additional costs in order to comply with safety and seating arrangements involving children. It also noted that Ryanair is currently the only major UK-operating airline applying this type of charge.
The authority added that similar concerns have already led to changes in some markets, including Italy, where such fees are not applied following intervention by aviation regulators.
In response, Ryanair defended its policy, stating that it complies fully with all relevant rules and regulations. The airline said that parents travelling with children are charged for one reserved seat but can still select adjacent seats for up to four children at no extra cost within the same booking.
Ryanair also rejected the investigation’s basis, saying it looks forward to addressing the CMA’s concerns during the review process.
The CMA said it expects to provide an update on the investigation within the next six months. Under UK consumer law, companies found to be in breach of regulations can face penalties of up to 10% of their global annual revenue.
