In a rare reversal for Europe's largest budget airline, Ryanair has scrapped its policy of charging parents extra fees to sit with their young children. The move comes after months of public outcry and mounting pressure from consumer advocates, including the British watchdog Which?, who had branded the surcharge a 'blatant money-making scheme'.
The airline announced today that from next month, families with children under 12 will be automatically allocated adjacent seats at no additional cost. This is a significant shift for Ryanair, known for its strict fee structure and minimal customer service. Previously, families who failed to pay a fee for reserved seats could be separated, forcing parents to rely on the goodwill of fellow passengers to swap seats.
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said the decision was 'a victory for common sense and families'. He added that Ryanair's original policy 'took advantage of parents' anxieties, creating unnecessary stress before flights'. The watchdog had been lobbying for a change after receiving hundreds of complaints from irate parents.
The new rules apply to bookings made directly through the Ryanair website or app. Families with children aged 2 to 11 inclusive will be seated together. Infants under 2 must still be on a parent's lap. The airline says it will proactively block adjacent seats for families when they book.
Ryanair's chief commercial officer David O'Brien said the move was part of a wider effort to 'improve the travel experience for families'. He acknowledged that the previous policy had 'caused concerns' but insisted it had been a commercial decision, not a punitive one.
For many working families, this change is not just about convenience, it is about money. With household budgets squeezed by rising costs, the extra fee of up to £10 per seat per leg was a real burden. For a return flight with two children, that could have meant an extra £40, a substantial sum for a family trip. Many low-income households, already hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis, will welcome this relief.
The decision also reflects a growing trend in aviation: heightened scrutiny of 'junk fees' that catch travellers off guard. The US Department of Transportation is currently pushing for regulations requiring airlines to seat parents with children for free. Britain's Competition and Markets Authority has also indicated it is monitoring the issue. Ryanair's U-turn may pre-empt stricter regulations, but it also offers a competitive advantage over other budget carriers such as easyJet, which still charges for seat selection.
However, consumer groups remain cautious. Which? is urging Ryanair to clearly communicate the new policy through booking sites and third-party agents to avoid confusion. They also call on other airlines to follow suit.
For now, parents planning a summer getaway can breathe a little easier. The days of pleading with strangers to switch seats or paying a premium to keep the family together are, at least for Ryanair customers, over.
