In a rare victory for the travelling family, Ryanair has announced it will scrap its controversial policy of charging parents to sit next to their children. From today, the budget airline will automatically seat children under 12 with at least one accompanying adult at no extra cost.
For years, the airline’s ‘random seat allocation’ meant families were often split across the cabin, forced to pay up to £20 per person to guarantee proximity. Campaigners called it a ‘tax on parenting’ and a safety hazard, especially for younger children. The change follows a sustained campaign by consumer groups and a petition that gathered over 100,000 signatures, forcing the airline to review its policy.
Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said the decision was ‘a response to customer feedback’. He added: “We have listened. Families told us that sitting together matters. It does not cost us anything to assign seats next to each other, so we will do it.” The airline will still charge for priority boarding and extra legroom, but the basic family unit can now travel without the anxiety of being separated.
For hard-pressed families already facing soaring costs of living, this is a small but meaningful win. A return flight for a family of four could now save up to £80. It is a reminder that consumer pressure can shift even the most obdurate of corporate policies. The question is: which airline will be next?
