Ryanair, the Irish low-cost carrier, has abruptly reversed its controversial policy of charging parents extra to sit with their children. The decision, announced this morning, follows months of public backlash and a formal complaint from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Sources close to the airline confirm that the fee, which could add up to £25 per flight per family, has been scrapped with immediate effect.
For years, Ryanair’s algorithm assigned seats randomly, meaning parents often found themselves separated from young children unless they paid a premium. The practice drew accusations of profiteering from safety-critical family seating. One father, who asked not to be named, told me he paid over £70 extra on a single return trip to Alicante just to sit with his five-year-old. “It felt like extortion,” he said. “You’re told it’s for safety, but it’s clearly a money grab.”
Documents obtained by this newsroom reveal that Ryanair earned an estimated £12 million annually from the fee. The airline’s own internal projections, dated March 2023, showed a 15% year-on-year increase in revenue from the charge. Yet the company’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, had previously defended the policy, claiming it was “voluntary” and that parents could always ask fellow passengers to swap seats.
The U-turn comes just weeks after the Civil Aviation Authority warned it would take enforcement action if the airline failed to comply with consumer law. Under UK regulations, airlines must make reasonable efforts to seat families together at no extra cost. Ryanair’s policy was seen as a flagrant breach of this rule.
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the change, stating: “We have listened to our customers and will now automatically seat children under 12 with an accompanying adult at no additional charge.” The statement added that the move was part of a broader review of customer service policies. Industry analysts, however, suggest the timing is no coincidence. With the UK government preparing to introduce harsher penalties for airlines that breach consumer rights, Ryanair had little choice but to fold.
The news has been welcomed by family campaigners. The group ‘Fair Fares for Families’ called it a “victory for common sense” but warned that other budget carriers might follow suit reluctantly. Their spokesperson, Emma Thorne, told me: “This shows that pressure works. But we will be watching closely to ensure the change is enforced consistently.”
Ryanair’s shares dipped slightly on the open, down 0.8% in morning trading. The reversal is expected to cost the airline roughly £10 million in lost ancillary revenue this year. But the reputational damage from the saga may prove more costly. O’Leary, known for his combative style, has yet to comment. One source close to the board said the decision was taken “over his head” and that the CEO was “furious.”
For the thousands of British families who have been stung by this fee, the change is a rare win against an industry that often treats passengers as revenue streams. But as one travel expert put it: “This isn’t a gesture of goodwill. It’s a calculated retreat. The real test will be whether the savings are passed on or swallowed elsewhere.”
I’ll be following the money. You can bet on that.
