Ryanair faces competition probe over charging parents to sit with children

Ryanair faces a competition probe over charges that parents must pay to sit with their children on flights.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed an investigation into the no-frills carrier over whether fees, which it said typically cost £8 each way, were “unfair” under consumer law.

The watchdog said it understood that Ryanair was the only major airline flying out of the UK to impose such a charge.

Other airlines offer to seat children with a parent or guardian without the need for a paid-for adult seat reservation, or allocate seats together automatically during booking for free, the CMA said.

The authority will investigate Ryanair’s approach to mandatory seat reservations.

"How the investigation unfolds will depend on the nature of the evidence. It could result in a finding of unlawful conduct, the imposition of remedies, or case closure," the authority said.

“Ryanair’s website refers to ‘Free reserved seats for kids under 12’, but the parents and guardians must pay a booking fee to access these seats.

“As part of the investigation, the CMA will also examine whether the mandatory family seat fee is ‘dripped’ during the booking process and whether consumers are presented with the total price that they will pay.

“Under consumer law, businesses must show a total price that includes all unavoidable charges, rather than adding – or ‘dripping’ – extra charges separately or later in the process. This ensures consumers can effectively compare prices and understand the true cost of what they are buying.

“The CMA is at the beginning of its investigation, and it has reached no conclusions about whether Ryanair has broken the law.”

Hayley Fletcher, senior director of consumer protection, said: “Lots of families save up to afford a summer holiday and we know that extra charges can quickly bump up the price.

“Our investigation will consider Ryanair’s approach to family seat reservations and how the cost is presented to consumers to determine whether they comply with consumer law.

“For the past year, we’ve told businesses to ensure their customers are shown the total price upfront – those who don’t face the very real possibility of action from the CMA.”

Ryanair defended its position, saying its family seating policy "fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations" and saves families money.