Ryanair aligns family seating policy with industry standard

International

Families can continue to reserve preferred seats, while complimentary seating will now generally be allocated in the rear of the aircraft

Ryanair has announced changes to its long-standing family seating policy, bringing it into line with practices used by most European airlines. The carrier said its existing policy fully complies with all applicable legislation and regulations, but confirmed that bookings made from 25 June will follow a revised process for families who choose not to purchase seat reservations.

Complimentary family seating remains available

Under Ryanair's policy, children will continue to be seated next to a parent or accompanying adult at no additional charge. Families wishing to reserve seats during the booking process can still do so by purchasing one adult seat reservation at a discounted rate, while up to four accompanying children on the same booking receive adjacent reserved seats free of charge.

According to the airline, this option continues to provide certainty over seating arrangements before departure while maintaining its low-fare offering.

Random seat allocation after check-in

For families who decide not to reserve seats, complimentary seating will now be allocated after check-in, in line with the procedures followed by many other European airlines. Ryanair said these passengers are likely to be seated together in the rear section of the aircraft, as seats in the front rows are typically reserved first.

Families who prefer to select seats in advance, including premium seats at the front of the cabin, will continue to have that option by paying the applicable seat reservation fee.

Ryanair said the change is expected to be revenue neutral while maintaining low fares for families travelling with the airline.

Airline criticises regulatory pressure

The carrier said the adjustment reflects the approach taken by most European airlines and follows pressure from regulators to adopt the prevailing industry standard.

"European regulators such as the UK's CMA have repeatedly failed consumers by ignoring the obvious consumer harm caused by unauthorized OTAs reselling overpriced airfares, excessive airport monopoly charges and repeated air traffic control service failures across Europe. While ignoring high fares on routes where Ryanair does not compete, the CMA has instead focused on our family seating policy, which consumers have consistently recognised as the most progressive and transparent in Europe. Rather than promoting competition and lower prices for consumers, the CMA has sought to force Ryanair to adopt the less transparent and less consumer-friendly family seating policies used by most other airlines simply because they represent the industry standard.

We will reluctantly align with this industry standard because we have no intention of wasting time explaining to misguided regulators how badly they misunderstand what is in the best interests of consumers across the UK and Europe. Under our revised family seating policy, families may now have to wait until check-in to learn where they will be seated and are more likely to be allocated seats towards the rear of the aircraft, but at least the CMA can claim to have done something for consumers, even if most consumers are unlikely to notice any benefit," said Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary.