Ryanair will “reluctantly adjust” its seating policy for families travelling with children, who do not wish to select or pay for a reserved seat to sit together.
On June 25, 2026, the low-cost-carrier defended its existing model but would “tweak” its seat allocation policy to reflect “industry standards”.
“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,” Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, said.
Ryanair argued that its “long-standing family seating policy fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations” and “does not charge any fee for children to sit beside their parent or accompanying adult”.
Before the new policy was introduced on June 25, 2026, adults travelling with children paid one reserved seat fee, but were able to select reserved seats beside them for up to four children on the same booking free of charge.
“This policy has given families certainty of seat allocation at the time of booking, which families have valued as much as they have valued Ryanair’s lowest fares,” Ryanair said.
On June 11, 2026, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into Ryanair’s approach to seat reservations.
The CMA said that the $10 (£8) each way cost “may mean parents are being charged for the airline to meet its child safety and disability‑related obligations as set out under aviation rules”.
The authority said at the time that it will investigate the issue to “determine whether or not this practice is in line with consumer law”.
Following the announcement from Ryanair today, the CMA told the BBC, that the carrier “claims its seating policy now complies with the law, and we’ll test that thoroughly”.
How will the seating policy change for families?
From June 25, 2026, families with a child that don’t wish to pay for a reserved seat will be allocated a space on the aircraft after they have checked in for their flight.
“Families opting for this random allocation of seats beside each other are likely to be seated towards the rear of the aircraft cabin, as front rows tend to be reserved and sell out first,” Ryanair said.
The airline added: “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.”
O’Leary claims the CMA has “targeted” its family seating policy, which has been “universally embraced by consumers as the most progressive and transparent in Europe”.
“Under our revised family seating policy, 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 but at least the CMA will be able to claim they have done something for consumers, but sadly most consumers won’t notice,” he added.