Ryanair ‘tweaks’ family seat allocation after CMA launches probe

Ryanair has made ‘tweaks’ to its seat allocation policy for families, in the wake of an investigation being launched by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

 

The watchdog confirmed earlier this month that it had launched a probe into the no-frills carrier over whether fees, which it said typically cost £8 each way, were “unfair” under consumer law.

 

It was investigating “a potentially unfair” contract term that requires an adult travelling with a child to pay for a “mandatory family seat” to sit next to them, and whether it includes this fee in the total flight price.

 

The airlines said that for bookings from Thursday (June 25), adults travelling with children, who do not wish to select or pay for a reserved seat, will be advised of their free seat allocation after they have checked in for their flight, “as is the case with most other airlines in Europe”.

 

More: CMA’s Ryanair investigation ‘won’t be last in travel industry’

 

Ryanair faces competition probe over charging parents to sit with children

 

“Families opting for this random allocation of seats beside each other are likely to be seated towards the rear of the aircraft cabin, as front rows tend to be reserved and sell out first,” said the carrier.

 

“Families who prefer to choose their seats at the time of booking and secure premium front rows will be allowed to do so by paying a seat reservation fee, in line with the policy applied by most other European airlines.

 

“This minor policy tweak will align Ryanair’s family seating policy with that of most other EU airlines, which responds to the desire of Europe’s regulators to stifle innovation and progress.

 

“The tweak will be revenue-neutral for Ryanair.”

 

In its statement, Ryanair reiterated how its “long-standing family seating policy fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations”.

 

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair chief executive, said: “European regulators such as the UK CMA have consistently failed consumers by ignoring blatant anti-consumer reselling of inflated air fares by unauthorised OTAs, overcharging by airport monopolies and service failures by Europe’s ATCs.

 

“Turning a blind eye to the high fares charged by airlines on routes with no Ryanair competition, the CMA has now targeted our family seating policy which has been universally embraced by consumers as the most progressive and transparent in Europe.

 

“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.

 

“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.

 

“Under our revised family seating policy, families may have to wait until after they have checked in to find out their seat allocation and are more likely to be seated at the rear of the cabin but at least the CMA will be able to claim they have done something for consumers, but sadly most consumers won’t notice.”

 

A CMA spokesperson said: “Ryanair claims its seating policy now complies with the law, and we’ll test that thoroughly. If true, it’s a win for families – who will no longer have to pay to sit with their children – and it shows the impact our new powers are having.

 

“But it doesn’t change the fact families have been paying for ‘mandatory family seats’. Our investigation remains ongoing.”

 

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, commented: “It should never have required Which? to report Ryanair’s unfair seating policy to the CMA to prompt action on these unjustified charges. It was never fair to charge parents to sit next to children as young as three.

 

“It is clear Ryanair is unhappy about being dragged into doing the right thing, so Which? will be monitoring the implications of this policy and whether all parents are seated next to their children without charge over the next few months.”