Ryanair is being formally investigated by the UK's competition watchdog over the fees it charges parents who want to sit next to their own children on flights, in a move that could have wide consequences for family holidays.
The Competition and Markets Authority confirmed it has opened a case looking at whether the airline's seat selection charges break consumer protection law. Ryanair is Europe's biggest carrier by passenger numbers and a popular choice for British families heading abroad.
According to the BBC, parents have repeatedly complained that they feel pushed into paying extra at the booking stage to avoid being separated from young children once on board. Seat fees on the airline can run from a few pounds to more than £30 each, depending on the route and how close to the front of the cabin a passenger sits.
The regulator wants to know whether the true cost of travelling as a family is being made clear early enough in the booking flow. It is also examining whether parents are given a realistic way to sit with younger passengers without being charged for the privilege.
Ryanair has long argued that its free seat allocation is genuinely random and that any customer can pay for a chosen seat if they prefer certainty. The airline denies misleading travellers and says its low headline fares depend on charging for optional extras.
The CMA has new powers to demand changes, force refunds and fine companies directly without going to court. Consumer group Which? has campaigned for years against so-called drip pricing in the airline industry, where the advertised fare looks cheap but bolt-on costs quickly push the final bill much higher.
The investigation lands at a tough moment for household budgets. With the summer holidays approaching, many parents booking flights for the first time this year will be watching closely to see whether the rules around family seating are about to change.