Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, is facing a formal investigation by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over allegations that it systematically charges parents for seats next to their young children. Consumer rights groups have described the practice as a ‘hidden tax’ on families and are demanding urgent action. Uncovered documents reveal that Ryanair’s automated seating system often separates children under 12 from their parents, unless an additional fee is paid.
The CAA’s investigation, confirmed by sources close to the regulator, will examine whether this policy violates UK consumer law. The airline has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, insisting that parents can avoid charges by checking in online early. But the CAA’s intervention suggests the regulator has serious concerns about the fairness of Ryanair’s seat allocation system.
A spokesperson for the CAA said: ‘We have received a significant number of complaints from passengers who have been charged extra to sit next to their children. This practice will be examined closely.’ The investigation comes as consumer groups prepare to launch a legal challenge against Ryanair, arguing that the airline’s policy is misleading and contravenes the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
The law requires that any additional charges must be transparent and not cause undue distress. Forcing parents to pay to ensure their child is seated next to them, critics argue, is a form of ‘drip pricing’ that inflates the final cost of a ticket. Ryanair, in a statement, said: ‘Families who choose to pay for reserved seating can guarantees they sit together.
Those who do not pay are randomly allocated seats, just like any other passengers. Our policy is clear and fully disclosed at the time of booking.’ However, leaked internal correspondence suggests the airline has deliberately designed its seating algorithm to separate families unless fees are paid.
A former employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: ‘It is built into the system. The software is programmed to split up groups who haven’t paid for reserved seats. Children are often placed in different rows or even different parts of the plane.
’ The investigation is likely to fuel calls for tighter regulation of airline seat allocation policies. Campaigners argue that low-cost carriers have exploited a regulatory loophole by turning a basic requirement of family travel into a revenue stream. ‘This is a money-making scheme that preys on parents,’ said a spokesperson for Which?
, the consumer group. ‘The CAA must act swiftly to ensure that families are not charged exorbitant fees just to sit together.’ Ryanair’s shares slipped modestly on the news, but the airline has weathered similar controversies in the past.
The budget carrier has built its business model on charging for extras, from allocated seating to carry-on luggage. But with the CAA investigation and the threat of a legal challenge, that model is now under renewed scrutiny. As one industry analyst put it: ‘The low-cost model works because of add-ons.
But if regulators start clamping down on these charges, the whole business could be forced to change.
