The new policy took effect on June 25 and provides complimentary seat allocation for parents alongside their children in the rear section of the aircraft. Passengers who wish to reserve seats closer to the front of the cabin will still be required to pay the airline’s standard seat selection fee.

The move marks a significant shift for Europe’s largest low-cost airline, which has previously charged many families extra to guarantee adjacent seats.

UK Investigation Prompted Policy Change

The announcement comes shortly after the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into Ryanair on June 11. The regulator is examining the airline’s practice of charging parents to sit next to their young children, raising concerns about whether the policy complies with consumer protection rules.

By introducing complimentary family seating, Ryanair is addressing one of the issues highlighted during the regulatory review while maintaining paid seat selection for passengers seeking specific locations elsewhere in the cabin.

Families Benefit From New Rules

Under the revised policy, eligible families will automatically receive adjacent seats in the rear of the aircraft at no additional cost. The change is expected to benefit thousands of passengers travelling with young children, particularly during the busy summer holiday season.

The update brings Ryanair’s family seating arrangements more in line with growing expectations among regulators and consumer groups that young children should be seated next to their parents without requiring additional fees.