Ryanair has axed its family seating policy – but kids’ fees still add up
The airfare for a baby on your lap could cost more than your own ticket. Here’s how airline charges and travel taxes can hit youRyanair recently stopped making parents pay to sit n
By The Guardian
Ryanair has ended its policy of charging parents to sit next to their children, though families flying with young kids can still face substantial hidden costs that sometimes exceed the price of an adult ticket. The budget carrier announced on Thursday, June 25, that parents travelling with children under 12 will now be allocated complimentary seats next to their offspring at no extra cost .
This change follows an inquiry by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which investigated the airline’s practice of charging between £4.50 and £13.50 per flight for a “mandatory family seat” . Under the old rules, at least one adult had to pay for a seat reservation to ensure the group sat together, with the typical cost around £8 each way .
While the seating fee has been removed, the airline confirmed that these free parent seats will be positioned towards the rear of the aircraft, as front-row seats remain reserved for paying customers . Children will be assigned seats beside them without charge .
MoneySavingExpert noted that under the new policy, families no longer need to pay to reserve seats for children under 12 . However, the removal of the seating fee does not eliminate all costs for families.
Airfare for a baby on a parent’s lap can still cost more than the adult’s own ticket depending on the airline and applicable travel taxes [summary]. Some airlines charge a full adult fare for children over two, while others offer discounts, meaning hidden extras can remain substantial [summary].
Martin Lewis, the money expert, described the Ryanair change as a long-awaited move, stating “Ryanair to finally allow an option for parents to sit with children for free” .