Ryanair Drops Mandatory Family Seat Fee

Ryanair has changed its family seating policy after the UK Competition and Markets Authority began investigating whether parents were being unfairly charged to sit with their children. The update affects bookings involving young children and changes how the airline allocates free family seats. It matters most for families comparing low fares, because seat charges can quickly alter the final cost of a short trip.

Key Details for Family Seat Bookings

• Airline: Ryanair.
• Who is affected: adults travelling with children aged two to 11.
• Previous rule: one adult had to pay for a mandatory family seat.
• Typical fee: around £8 each way, according to the CMA.
• New option: free parent seats in the rear of the aircraft.
• Alternative: paid seat selection remains available for preferred seats.
• Regulator: the CMA investigation remains open.

Previously, Ryanair required at least one adult travelling with children aged two to 11 to reserve what it called a mandatory family seat. The CMA said the fee was typically around £8 each way. Children could then be placed next to or near that adult free of charge, with up to four children covered by one reserved parent seat under that booking.

Under the revised policy, free parent seats will be available in the rear of Ryanair aircraft for future bookings. Families can still pay to choose specific seats if they want more control over row position or cabin location. Ryanair says some families may need to wait until check-in to see their allocation, rather than knowing it at booking in advance.

The change should make Ryanair’s cheapest fares easier to compare for family trips, especially during school holidays, short breaks and visits to relatives. It does not remove every seat-related choice: parents who want particular rows will still need to pay. The safer move is to check the seat map, booking flow and check-in timing before assuming the lowest fare is the final cost.