Ryanair: consumer protection enforcement case
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected infringements of consumer law in relation to Ryanair’s use of a potentially unfair mandatory fee, and the presentation of that fee on its UK website.
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 10 June 2026 | Investigation opened |
| June 2026 to December 2026 | Initial investigation: information and evidence gathering (next case update December 2026) |
Case opening
10 June 2026: The CMA has opened an investigation into compliance with consumer protection law by Ryanair UK Limited and Ryanair DAC.
The CMA is investigating Ryanair’s use of and reliance on a potentially unfair contract term requiring consumers travelling with a child to pay a mandatory fee to sit next to that child. The CMA is also examining the presentation of that fee on Ryanair’s website and specifically whether the fee is included in the total price the consumer sees at the beginning of the purchase process.
The CMA will now engage with Ryanair and gather evidence to consider whether the CMA thinks any of the companies in the group have infringed consumer protection law.
At this initial stage, it should not be assumed that Ryanair has infringed consumer protection law and no finding has been made.
- Press release: CMA investigates Ryanair over charging parents to sit with children (11.6.26)
Contact
- general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk
- Andrew Groves, Director
- Hayley Fletcher, Senior Responsible Officer
Personal information
Your name and contact details are your personal data. The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its consumer protection investigation under Part 3 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please read our personal information charter.