The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ryanair, examining the charge it places on parents and guardians to sit with their children on flights.

Under the budget airline’s terms and conditions, at least one parent must sit with their children aged between two- and 11-years-old when they fly. This is done through its "mandatory family seat", which typically cost around £8 per flight on average. For those flying without children, reserving a seat is optional.

Ryanair's website refers to ‘free reserved seats for kids under 12’ but the parents and guardians must pay a booking fee to access these seats.

The regulator said that this approach to seating is used across the majority of the firm’s UK routes, and therefore is investigating to examine whether the airline is charging parents to meet child safety and disability-related obligations set out under aviation rules.

Under the investigation, the CMA will determine whether or not this practice is in line with consumer law.

It is understood that Ryanair is the only major airline flying out of the UK to impose this charge, with other airlines offering to seat children with a parent or guardian without the need for a paid-for adult seat reservation. Some airlines also automatically allocate families together when booking.

The CMA said it will also examine whether the mandatory family seating is “dripped” during the booking process, meaning that extra charges are added separately or later in the process, and whether consumers are presented with the price that they will pay.

The regulator added that the result of the investigation will depend on the nature of the evidence, which could result in a finding of unlawful conduct, the imposition of remedies, or case closure.

Senior director of consumer protection at the CMA, Hayley Fletcher, concluded: Lots of families save up to afford a summer holiday and we know that 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.

"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."

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