Ryanair 'reluctantly' ends mandatory fees for parents to sit with children amid investigation

June 27, 2026 - 03:35

Ryanair has quietly dropped its controversial charge for parents to sit with their young children, a move that comes after a formal investigation by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. The airline had been charging families an extra 10 euros, or about $10.70, to guarantee adjacent seats for children under 12. CEO Michael O'Leary did not go quietly, however, blasting the regulator and insisting the change was made "reluctantly." He argued that the fee was a reasonable service for parents who wanted certainty, and that the airline already allowed free random seat assignments for families who did not mind splitting up. The CMA launched its probe last year, questioning whether the practice was unfair and potentially misleading to consumers. Consumer groups had long criticized the fee as a hidden cost that punished families who simply wanted to sit together. Under the new policy, Ryanair will automatically seat children next to at least one accompanying adult at no extra charge, though the airline warns that seats may still be separated if the flight is full and families do not check in early. O'Leary hinted that the airline might look for other ways to recoup the lost revenue, suggesting that the cost of compliance would ultimately be passed on to all passengers. The CMA has welcomed the policy change but has not yet closed its investigation.