Ryanair Ends Family Seating Fee Under UK Regulatory Pressure

Ryanair has scrapped its £8 family seating charge, now offering free reserved seats for children aged 2–11 next to accompanying adults. The UK Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation in June 2026; the airline reversed course within two weeks. Ryanair had justified the fee as a safety requirement while still charging for it. A similar regulatory win in Italy in 2024 signals Europe-wide pressure on this revenue model.