Ryanair faces investigation over charging parents to sit with their children

WorldBusiness & Finance
11 Jun 2026 • 4:22 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Ryanair faces investigation over charging parents to sit with their children

  • Ryanair is currently under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK.
  • The probe focuses on the airline's practice of charging parents to sit with their children aged between two and 11 on flights.
  • Ryanair designates these as 'mandatory family seats,' with the reserved adult seat typically costing around £8 each way.
  • The CMA is examining whether this practice complies with consumer law and aviation rules concerning child safety and disability obligations.
  • Ryanair has labelled the investigation 'bogus,' stating its policy adheres to all relevant laws and allows one adult to pay for a reserved seat while up to four children sit beside them for free.

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