Ryanair Has Made A Change To Kids’ Seating Fees

Earlier this month, budget airline Ryanair made a change to how they charge parents travelling with their children.

Following the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)’s investigation into their former policy, which saw parents pay a fee to sit next to their children, the company has “reluctantly” tweaked their rules.

Prior to the adjustment, Ryanair required parents flying with children aged two to 11 to pay for one reserved “mandatory family seat”. Up to four children could then sit by them for free.

As of the 25 July, 2026, Ryanair said, adults will be offered seats next to their kids “free of charge”, though they suggested these will probably be at the rear of the plane “as front rows tend to be reserved and sell out first”.

“This minor policy tweak will align Ryanair’s family seating policy with that of most other EU airlines, which responds to the desire of Europe’s regulators to stifle innovation and progress,” they added.

As you might be able to guess from that comment, the airline said they were “reluctant” to adopt the change.

The airline’s controversial CEO, Michael O’Leary, said consumer watchdog the CMA “is on a mission to force Ryanair to adopt the less transparent and less consumer-friendly family seating policy applied by most other airlines – just because it’s the industry standard.

“We will reluctantly adjust to this industry standard as we don’t want to waste time explaining to misguided regulators how badly they misunderstand what is in the best interest of UK and Europe’s consumers,” he added.

O’Leary also said that after the rule change, “families may have to wait until after they have checked in to find out their seat allocation and are more likely to be seated at the rear of the cabin”.

A CMA spokesperson told the BBC, “Ryanair claims its seating policy now complies with the law, and we’ll test that thoroughly. If true, it’s a win for families – who will no longer have to pay to sit with their children…

“But it doesn’t change the fact families have been paying for ‘mandatory family seats’. Our investigation remains ongoing.”