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UK CMA probes Ryanair's £8 child seat fee

6/12/2026

34 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Ryanair Faces Probe

The UK Competition and Markets Authority has opened an investigation into Ryanair’s family seat fee for children aged 2-11.
The £8-per-flight fee may breach consumer law, prompting the CMA to check if it is “drip-priced,” added later rather than shown upfront.
Ryanair calls the probe bogus and says the policy complies with law and saves families money, prompting CMA’s Hayley Fletcher to warn that charges can raise holiday costs.

Summary

Ryanair Slams Probe

Ryanair calls the CMA probe a “bogus” political attack by the Starmer Government.
The airline says the government’s refusal to abolish air passenger duty (APD) keeps fares high.
Ryanair claims eliminating APD would instantly lower ticket prices, boost UK aviation, tourism and the economy.
A Ryanair spokesperson says the family-seating policy saves families money, complies with laws, and the carrier will contest the CMA’s false claims.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 the Irish Competition Authority—then the body enforcing Ireland’s Competition Act 2002—fined Ryanair £10,000 after a consumer complaint revealed ancillary charges on 78 % of tickets. The UK Competition and Markets Authority’s 2024 probe into Ryanair’s £8 family-seat fee echoes that earlier enforcement, highlighting ongoing EU-wide scrutiny of airline drip-pricing.

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Ryanair Faces Probe

The UK Competition and Markets Authority has opened an investigation into Ryanair’s family seat fee for children aged 2-11.
The £8-per-flight fee may breach consumer law, prompting the CMA to check if it is “drip-priced,” added later rather than shown upfront.
Ryanair calls the probe bogus and says the policy complies with law and saves families money, prompting CMA’s Hayley Fletcher to warn that charges can raise holiday costs.

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