Ryanair drops £8 family seat fee after CMA probe

Ryanair announced it will no longer charge a mandatory family seat fee of around £8 per flight for parents travelling with children under 12. The change, effective from 25 July 2026, means adults will be allocated seats beside their children free of charge, though the seats are likely to be assigned toward the rear of the aircraft. The policy shift follows an investigation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority, which examined Ryanair’s practice of charging parents £4.50‑£13.50 per flight for a reserved family seat. CEO Michael O'Leary said the airline was “reluctantly” adjusting to the industry standard, while consumer‑advocate Martin Lewis welcomed the move, calling it “finally allowing an option for parents to sit with children for free.” A CMA spokesperson confirmed the investigation remains ongoing but welcomed the compliance.

The adjustment aligns Ryanair’s family seating rules with those of most other EU carriers and removes the extra cost previously imposed on families.