Ryanair is facing an investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over allegations that parents are charged extra to sit next to their children during flights. The regulator is examining whether the airline’s family seating policy is fair under consumer protection laws.
According to the CMA, parents travelling with children aged between two and 11 may be required to pay around £8 per flight segment to reserve seats together. The watchdog is also reviewing whether these fees are clearly disclosed during the booking process and whether families are shown the full cost upfront.
Ryanair has strongly denied any wrongdoing, describing the investigation as “bogus” and maintaining that its family seating policy complies with all applicable regulations. The airline states that parents only need to purchase one reserved adult seat, while up to four children can be assigned adjacent seats at no additional cost.
Consumer advocacy groups have welcomed the investigation, arguing that families should not have to pay extra to ensure young children are seated next to their parents. The CMA emphasized that the inquiry remains in its early stages and that no findings or conclusions have yet been reached.