UK watchdog probes Ryanair fees to seat parent with kids

Britain's competition watchdog has launched an investigation into budget airline Ryanair today over fees that parents must pay to sit with their children on flights.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it is examining whether Ryanair's "mandatory family seat" charge, which typically costs around £8 (€9) each way, may be forcing parents to pay for the airline to meet its own child safety and disability obligations under aviation rules.

"Specifically, its investigation relates to whether Ryanair's contract term is "unfair" under consumer law," the regulator said, adding that it has only started the probe and has not reached a conclusion about whether or not Ryanair has broken the law.

In a statement, Ryanair said its family seating policy fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations, and saves families money when travelling with the airline.

"Ryanair does not charge any fee for children to sit beside their parent or accompanying adult," the airline said.

"Like all adults who select a reserved seat, adults travelling with children pay one reserved seat fee, but can select reserved seats beside them for up to four children on the same booking free of charge," it said.

"This means that parents travelling with children pay for only one (adult) reserved seat but pay nothing for the four other reserved seats for their children travelling with them," the airline stated.

"Ryanair looks forward to disproving these false CMA claims during this bogus investigation," it added.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it understands that Ryanair is the only major airline flying out of the UK to impose this charge.

Other airlines offer to seat children with a parent or guardian without the need for a paid-for adult seat reservation, or allocate seats together automatically during booking for free.

Hayley Fletcher, Senior Director of Consumer Protection, said that lots of families save up to afford a summer holiday and extra charges can quickly bump up the price.

"Our investigation will consider Ryanair's approach to family seat reservations and how the cost is presented to consumers to determine whether they comply with consumer law," she said.

"For the past year, we've told businesses to ensure their customers are shown the total price upfront - those who don't face the very real possibility of action from the CMA," she added.