Ryanair 'reluctantly' ends mandatory fees for parents to sit with children amid investigation

Ryanair will "reluctantly" allow parents to sit with their children for free after an investigation into the practice was opened, bringing the airline in line with European industry standards.

Previously, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers charged a fee—typically $10.70 each way per adult—to allow up to four children aged 2 to 11 to sit next to an accompanying adult. Moving forward, families who do not pay to reserve seats will be allocated random seats together for free after check-in, likely toward the rear of the plane, Reuters reported.

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"We will reluctantly adjust to this industry standard as we don’t want to waste time explaining to misguided regulators how badly they misunderstand what is in the best interest of UK and Europe’s consumers," Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said in a statement.

The Ireland-based budget carrier's shift came after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an inquiry into whether the original policy violated consumer law.

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A CMA spokesperson said the agency will test whether the new policy complies with the law. While they noted the change would be "a win for families," they added that the investigation remains ongoing.

"It doesn't change the fact that families have been paying for 'mandatory family seats,'" the spokesperson said.

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FOX Business has reached out to the CMA for comment.