Overview
- Ryanair said bookings made from Thursday, June 25 will get a free seat allocation for an adult travelling with children if the adult does not pay to reserve a seat, with seat assignments revealed after check-in.
- The free allocations are likely to place families toward the rear of the cabin and passengers who want a specific seat or a front row can still pay a reservation fee to choose their seats.
- The change was presented by Ryanair as a revenue-neutral “minor tweak” that aligns its practice with other European carriers, a stance defended by CEO Michael O’Leary in published statements.
- The UK Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation earlier this month into whether Ryanair’s prior rule—charging a fee typically around £8 each way for a mandatory family seat—effectively made parents pay to meet child‑seating obligations, and the CMA says it will test the new policy.
- Which? and other consumer groups urged close monitoring of implementation because the practical impacts on families include reduced booking-time certainty and potential pressure to pay for reserved seats to avoid being placed at the back.