Ryanair 'reluctantly' agrees to let parents sit with children for free

Ryanair agreed to allow parents to sit with their children for free on flights starting September 1, 2024, following pressure from consumer groups and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Previously, the budget airline charged parents a fee of £8 each way to guarantee adjacent seating with children under 12. This policy change comes after a review by the CMA, which found that Ryanair's previous practice of charging for family seating was potentially unfair to consumers. The airline stated it "reluctantly" agreed to the change, which will apply to all Ryanair flights. The CMA had indicated it would take enforcement action if Ryanair did not voluntarily change its policy. The new arrangement aims to ensure that families can sit together without incurring additional costs, addressing concerns about child safety and parental supervision during flights.