The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ryanair regarding mandatory fees charged to parents for sitting next to their children. The regulator is examining whether the airline’s policy constitutes an “unfair contract term” under consumer law, as Ryanair is currently the only major carrier operating from the UK that mandates this specific charge. Reserving these seats costs between £4 and £12 each way, with the CMA now reviewing if this practice complies with regulations on pricing transparency and consumer protection.
Why is the CMA investigating Ryanair’s seating fees?
The CMA is scrutinizing whether Ryanair’s requirement for a “mandatory family seat” creates an unfair disadvantage for passengers. According to the regulator, the law applies a “fairness test” to determine if a contract tilts the balance of rights too heavily in favor of the business. Hayley Fletcher, the CMA’s senior director of consumer protection, stated that the inquiry will evaluate how the cost is presented to consumers and whether the airline’s approach complies with existing consumer protection standards. If the terms are found to be unfair, they may not be legally binding, and the CMA holds the power to take enforcement action to halt the practice.
The CMA has launched investigations into 15 businesses since receiving strengthened powers to fine companies for breaches and mandate refunds. These inquiries span sectors as diverse as online reviews, gym memberships, and ticketing services.
What is the airline’s position on the investigation?
Ryanair has rejected the CMA’s move, describing the inquiry as “bogus.” In a statement, the carrier insisted its family seating policy fully complies with all relevant regulations and noted that it “saves families money” by offering the lowest fares in the UK. The airline clarified that while adults must pay a fee to reserve a seat, they can select reserved seats beside them for up to four children for free. Ryanair further characterized the investigation as a political maneuver, alleging the current government is attempting to distract from its failure to abolish air passenger duty (APD).
How does “drip pricing” impact airline bookings?
A central component of the investigation is determining if the family seat fee is “dripped” during the booking process. Drip pricing occurs when a business displays an initial low price, only to add unavoidable fees later, making it difficult for the consumer to determine the true total cost upfront. This practice was officially banned in 2024. The CMA is now assessing whether Ryanair’s process violates these transparency requirements, as the regulator has signaled that businesses failing to show total prices at the start of the booking journey face a “very real possibility of action.”
Comparison: How do other airlines handle family seating?
Unlike Ryanair’s mandatory fee structure, many other major carriers utilize different models for family travel. Several competitors automatically allocate seats together during the booking process at no extra cost, while others allow parents to select seats alongside their children without requiring the adult to purchase a paid reservation. The CMA’s investigation will likely weigh these industry-standard practices against Ryanair’s specific policy to determine if the latter places an outsized burden on the consumer.
Always check the “total price” breakdown before entering payment details on travel sites. If you notice mandatory charges appearing only at the final checkout stage, you may be encountering drip pricing, which is now a focus of UK consumer protection enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the investigation finished? No, the CMA has just begun its inquiry and has reached no conclusions regarding whether Ryanair has broken the law.
- Are family seating fees legal? The CMA is currently testing the legality of Ryanair’s specific terms under the fairness test of consumer law.
- What happens if the CMA finds the terms unfair? The regulator has the power to take enforcement action, which could include forcing the company to change its terms or pay refunds to affected customers.
- Do I have to pay to sit with my child on all airlines? No. Many other airlines provide seating for families together for free or via automated systems that do not charge an additional reservation fee.
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