UK watchdog investigates Ryanair over family seating fee

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Thursday it has opened an investigation into Irish low-cost airline Ryanair over a charge imposed on parents who want to sit next to their children on flights.

The authority is examining whether the fee, which Ryanair calls a “mandatory family seat” and which typically costs about 8 pounds sterling, about 40 shekels, each way, forces parents to pay for seating arrangements required to meet child safety obligations and accessibility requirements for passengers with disabilities, as set out in aviation rules. It will also examine whether the charge amounts to an “unfair” contract term under consumer protection law, and whether it is presented to passengers only at a later stage in the booking process, known as “drip pricing,” rather than included upfront in the total price shown to consumers.

The CMA said other airlines allow children to sit next to a parent or guardian without requiring the adult to purchase a reserved seat, or automatically seat family members together during booking at no extra cost.

“Ryanair’s family seating policy fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations,” the company said in response. It also said it does not charge anything for children to sit next to a parent or accompanying adult, and that it expects to “refute” the CMA’s claims. “Like any adult passenger choosing a reserved seat, adults flying with children also pay for one reserved seat. However, they can choose free of charge adjacent seats for up to four children in the same booking,” Ryanair said.

The CMA stressed that the investigation is only at an early stage and is part of a broader effort to ease the cost of living and protect vulnerable consumers. At this stage, the authority has not yet concluded whether Ryanair has in fact broken the law.