Full Breakdown
Ryanair Revises Family Seating Policy After CMA Scrutiny
6/25/2026, 7:53:33 PM
End of Mandatory Family Seat Fee
From 25 June 2026 Ryanair stopped charging the £8 (£10) fee that required an adult traveling with children aged 2-11 to reserve a seat together. Families that do not pre-select a paid seat receive a free allocation after check-in, with children seated beside the parent, usually toward the rear of the aircraft. Ryanair calls the change a “minor policy tweak” and expects it to be revenue-neutral.
CMA Investigation and Regulatory Context
The Competition and Markets Authority opened an inquiry on 11 June 2026, questioning whether the fee breached consumer law by charging parents for compliance with child-safety and disability obligations. The CMA noted that other EU carriers seat children next to a parent at no cost or automatically allocate seats together during booking.
Key Numbers
- Fee: ~£8 (£10) each way.
- Age: children 2-11; under-2 on lap.
- Allocation: free seats after check-in, usually rear-cabin.
- Revenue impact: none expected.
Official Statements & Responses
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary called the prior policy “the most progressive and transparent in Europe” and labelled the CMA’s move “misguided”. Ryanair says the new system complies with all regulations. CMA spokesperson Hayley Fletcher said the regulator will examine whether the earlier fee raised holiday costs. Which? Travel editor Rory Boland welcomed the fee removal but will monitor seat assignments.
Consumer Criticism
Consumer groups, led by Which? Travel, called the former charge “unjustified” and said families should never have paid to sit with young children. Boland warned ongoing oversight is needed to ensure the promised free seating.
Timeline
- 11 June 2026: CMA opens probe.
- 25 June 2026: Ryanair implements new policy.
Conflicting Views & Open Questions
Ryanair asserts full legal compliance, while the CMA has not yet concluded its assessment. The regulator’s final ruling on whether the earlier fee violated consumer law remains pending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We will reluctantly adjust to this industry standard as we don’t want to waste time explaining to misguided regulators how badly they misunderstand what is in the best interest of UK and Europe’s consumers.” — Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair
- “Instead of promoting competitiveness and lower fares for consumers, the CMA is on a mission to force Ryanair to adopt the less transparent and less consumer-friendly family seating policy applied by most other airlines – just because it’s the industry standard,” — Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair
- “The CMA has now targeted our family seating policy, which has been universally embraced by consumers as the most progressive and transparent in Europe.” — Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair
- “to report Ryanair’s unfair seating policy to the CMA to prompt action on these unjustified charges.” — Rory Boland, Editor, Which? Travel
What’s Next
The CMA will finish its review soon, and watchdogs will monitor seat allocations for compliance.
