Ryanair will no longer charge parents to sit with their children after the UK Competition and Markets Authority launched a consumer law investigation into the policy. The budget airline announced families can now opt for free adjacent seat allocation, calling it a "minor policy tweak" that brings them in line with most EU carriers.

Previously, Ryanair charged approximately £8 per flight for mandatory family seating, which also affected younger passengers with disabilities. Despite advertising "free reserved seats for kids under 12," the airline required parents to purchase these seats separately. Michael O'Leary, the chief executive, criticized regulators for trying to "stifle innovation" while ignoring high fares on routes without Ryanair competition.

The CMA's investigation examines whether Ryanair breached consumer law by imposing fees for what should be free services. The regulator noted these practices remain at the airline's discretion even after the policy change. New consumer protection powers granted to the CMA last year allow it to test compliance without court action.

Ryanair's reversal demonstrates how strengthened regulatory oversight can force corporate policy changes. The airline's concession acknowledges the CMA's leverage while O'Leary's criticism suggests ongoing tension between cost-cutting business models and consumer protection standards.