Ryanair changes family seating rules for passengers

The budget airline has updated its seat allocation policy, offering parents free seats towards the rear of the aircraft but introducing charges for those wishing to sit further forward.

Ryanair has described the move as a "minor policy tweak" that brings its approach in line with other major European carriers.

(Image: Getty Images)

The change applies to all bookings made from June 25.

Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, 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 the revised policy, adults travelling with children who do not pay for reserved seats will receive a free seat allocation only after checking in.

These seats will be grouped together free of charge but are likely to be towards the rear of the aircraft.

Front-row seats will remain available for families who choose to pay a reservation fee during the booking process.

Ryanair has emphasised that the change will be revenue-neutral for the airline.

The carrier’s previous policy allowed one adult to pay for a discounted reserved seat, securing up to four free reserved seats for accompanying children.

This policy has given families certainty of seat allocation at the time of booking.

The airline confirmed that it does not charge for children to sit next to an accompanying adult but applies a reserved seat fee for the adult passenger.

(Image: Getty)

Ryanair described its earlier system as one that provided "certainty of seat allocation at the time of booking," which many families valued alongside the airline’s low fares.

Mr O’Leary said: "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."

The airline confirmed that its long-standing family seating policy fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations.