Competition Watchdog Investigates Ryanair Over Mandatory Seat Fees for Children
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has commenced an investigation into Ryanair regarding its policy of charging parents for mandatory seat reservations to sit alongside their children aged between two and 11 years. The watchdog is examining whether these charges, which typically amount to £8 each way, constitute an unfair practice under consumer protection legislation.
Ryanair's terms stipulate that parents must sit with children in this age bracket, facilitated through a 'mandatory family seat' that incurs a fee. The airline, however, asserts that its family seating policy 'fully complies with all relevant laws' and dismissed the investigation as 'bogus'. Ryanair stated that adults pay for one reserved seat, but can then select up to four children's seats on the same booking 'FREE OF CHARGE' next to them.
The CMA will determine if Ryanair is effectively charging for obligations related to child safety and disability under aviation rules. It noted that other major airlines operating from the UK do not impose similar charges, offering to seat children with a parent without a fee or automatically allocating adjacent seats.
Hayley Fletcher, the CMA's director of consumer protection, highlighted the impact of additional charges on family holiday costs and reiterated the expectation for businesses to present the total price upfront to consumers. The investigation will also scrutinise whether the 'mandatory family seat fee' is 'dripped' during the booking process rather than being clearly presented as part of the total cost.
Consumer rights group Which? welcomed the action, with travel editor Rory Boland stating that Which? has 'repeatedly highlighted Ryanair's harsh approach to separating families'. He urged Ryanair to cease these charges immediately.
The CMA possesses new powers allowing it to levy fines of up to 10% of global turnover against companies found to be in breach of consumer law.
