UK Regulator Probes Ryanair’s £8 Mandatory Family Seat Fee
The Competition and Markets Authority is probing Ryanair’s mandatory £8 per-way family seat fee for parents sitting with children aged two to 11 on most UK routes. The probe will test if the fee breaches consumer law on hidden charges and child safety obligations, with fines up to 10% of global turnover.
1. Investigation Launched
The Competition and Markets Authority has opened an investigation into Ryanair’s mandatory family seat fee, which requires parents to pay £8 each way to sit next to children aged two to eleven on most UK routes.
2. Regulatory Concerns
The CMA will assess whether the fee violates consumer law by introducing hidden unavoidable charges and whether it conflicts with child safety and disability seating obligations under aviation regulations, potentially levying fines up to 10% of global turnover.
3. Ryanair Response
Ryanair has dismissed the probe as bogus, stating its family seating policy complies with all laws and saves families money compared to competitors, and that adults can select seats for up to four children free of charge on the same booking.
4. Industry Comparison
The CMA noted Ryanair is the only major UK carrier imposing the mandatory family seat charge, whereas other airlines offer free seat allocation for children or automatically seat parents with minors without extra fees.
