Ryanair Under Investigation by UK Watchdog for Family Seating Fees/Image@ BBC
Ryanair is facing scrutiny from the UK’s competition authority regarding its charges for parents to sit alongside their children during flights.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an inquiry into whether the airline’s policy, which typically incurs a fee of £8 each way, is “unfair” under consumer protection laws.
According to the CMA, Ryanair’s terms stipulate that parents must sit with children aged between two and eleven, a requirement fulfilled through what the airline refers to as a “mandatory family seat,” which comes at a cost.
Ryanair has dismissed the investigation as “bogus,” asserting that its family seating policy complies with all applicable regulations.
The CMA is examining whether Ryanair’s approach to seat reservations results in parents being charged to meet the airline’s obligations related to child safety and disability, as outlined in aviation regulations.
The authority aims to determine if this practice aligns with consumer law.
The CMA noted that Ryanair appears to be the only major airline operating from the UK that imposes such a fee.
Other carriers typically allow children to be seated next to a parent or guardian at no additional cost, or they automatically assign seats together during the booking process for free.
The investigation is still in its early stages, and the CMA has not yet drawn any conclusions regarding potential legal violations by Ryanair.
The airline stated that adults traveling with children pay for one reserved seat but can select up to four additional reserved seats for their children at no extra charge.
”This investigation by the CMA is a misguided attempt by the Starmer government to appear consumer-friendly while neglecting to eliminate Air Passenger Duty (APD), which would lower fares for all travelers and stimulate growth in the UK aviation and tourism sectors,” Ryanair commented.
The airline expressed confidence in disproving the CMA’s claims throughout the investigation.
The CMA will also assess whether the mandatory family seat fee is transparently presented during the booking process and if consumers are informed of the total price upfront.
Hayley Fletcher, the CMA’s Director of Consumer Protection, highlighted that additional charges can significantly increase costs for families planning an affordable summer getaway.
”Our inquiry will evaluate Ryanair’s family seat reservation practices and how these costs are communicated to consumers to ensure compliance with consumer law,” Fletcher stated.
She emphasized that businesses must display total prices clearly, warning that those who fail to do so could face serious consequences from the CMA.
Consumer advocacy group Which? has welcomed the CMA’s investigation.
Rory Boland, travel editor at Which?, remarked, “We have consistently criticized Ryanair’s harsh policies regarding family seating and charging parents to sit next to young children. It is encouraging to see the regulator taking action against the airline’s practices.”
Boland urged Ryanair to eliminate these unreasonable fees without waiting for the outcome of the investigation.
The inquiry is part of the CMA’s broader efforts to alleviate cost-of-living challenges.
With new powers, the authority can impose fines of up to 10% of a company’s global revenue for violations of consumer law.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong