Ryanair announces ‘tweak’ to its family seating policy

Ryanair has changed its family seating policy after a UK regulatory investigation was launched into charges imposed on parents who wanted to sit with their children during flights.

The airline announced what it described as a “minor policy tweak,” confirming that free seats for parents will now be available in the rear section of its aircraft for future bookings. The change comes weeks after the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened an investigation into whether Ryanair’s previous seating arrangements complied with consumer protection laws.

Under the earlier policy, parents travelling with children aged between two and 11 were required to purchase a reserved family seat. The airline would then assign children seats next to or close to the paying adult at no extra cost. The mandatory seat reservation fee was typically around £8 (€9) each way, according to the CMA.

The watchdog said earlier this month that it was examining whether the practice was consistent with consumer law and whether families were being treated fairly when booking flights.

Ryanair had previously defended its approach, maintaining that the policy complied with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. However, the airline has now moved to modify the system while insisting the adjustment will not have any financial impact on its business.

In a statement, Ryanair said the revised arrangement would bring its family seating policy into line with those of many other European airlines. The company also suggested that the change reflected the preferences of regulators across Europe regarding passenger seating arrangements.

The airline argued that the amendment would be revenue-neutral, indicating it does not expect the policy revision to affect earnings.

The move is likely to be welcomed by families who have criticised airline seating charges in recent years. Consumer groups have frequently raised concerns about parents being required to pay additional fees to guarantee seats together with young children.

The CMA has increasingly focused on airline practices affecting passengers, particularly around pricing transparency and optional fees. The regulator’s review of family seating policies forms part of wider efforts to ensure consumers are given clear information and are not subjected to unfair charges during the booking process.

Ryanair is one of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers, transporting millions of passengers annually across its extensive network. While the airline continues to defend many of its ancillary charges as part of its low-fare business model, the latest policy adjustment reflects growing scrutiny of how airlines manage seating arrangements for families.

The outcome of the CMA investigation has not yet been announced, but Ryanair’s decision marks a notable shift in its approach to family travel bookings.