Ryanair is under investigation by the UK’s aviation regulator after consumer groups accused the airline of effectively charging parents a “family tax” to sit with their young children. The practice, which forces families to pay extra for seat selection to guarantee they are seated together, has sparked outrage among passengers and politicians alike.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed on Tuesday that it had opened a formal probe into the airline’s seating policy, following a surge in complaints from families who say they were separated from their children on flights. Under current rules, children under 12 are not permitted to sit alone on Ryanair flights, yet the airline’s system allocates seats randomly unless an additional fee is paid. This leaves many parents with no choice but to pay up to £20 per person per flight to avoid being split from their toddlers and infants.
“This is a stealth tax on families. Parents are being forced to choose between paying extra or watching their child sit with strangers,” said Sarah Hardcastle of the consumer group FairTravel. “For a family of four, the cost can quickly add up to £160 per round trip. That’s a week’s food budget for some.”
The investigation comes after a petition signed by more than 150,000 people called for an end to the practice. Labour MP Angela Rayner has also waded in, describing the charges as “exploitative” and demanding that the government step in.
Ryanair has defended its policy, arguing that seat selection is an optional extra and that families can check in online for free and request to sit together. However, the company’s own terms and conditions state that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, yet they do not guarantee that this adult will be seated next to them without payment.
The low-cost carrier posted profits of €1.4bn last year, while its chief executive Michael O’Leary earned €5.7m in salary and bonuses. Consumer advocates argue that charging families extra for something as basic as sitting with their own children is a cynical revenue grab.
“This is about greed, plain and simple,” said Hardcastle. “Ryanair is preying on parental anxiety to line its pockets. The regulator must force them to change.”
The CAA has the power to fine airlines up to 10% of their turnover for unfair practices. It is also looking into similar complaints against Wizz Air and easyJet, though Ryanair has attracted the most ire due to its aggressive upselling tactics.
For families like the Jacksons from Bolton, the policy meant a stressful holiday start. “We had to pay £120 extra just to sit together. My daughter is three. She’d be terrified on her own,” said mother Lisa Jackson. “It’s a disgrace. We won’t fly Ryanair again.”
The investigation is a rare move by the CAA, which has been criticised in the past for being too lenient on airlines. The regulator said it would “carefully consider” the evidence and make a decision within three months.
In the meantime, families are advised to check airline policies carefully before booking. The CAA also suggests that passengers who are separated from their children without being offered a free solution should file a complaint and seek compensation.
Ryanair could not immediately be reached for comment, but in previous statements, the airline has insisted that families can sit together by checking in online and paying for reserved seats. Critics say this is an admission that the system is designed to generate revenue, not accommodate passengers’ needs.
As the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household budgets, this issue has struck a nerve. For many, a family holiday is already a stretch. Being charged extra for a basic safety measure feels like the last straw.
