An investigation has been launched into Ryanair by the UK consumer watchdog regarding parent and child seats on flights.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed they were examining whether parents being charged to sit next to their children was ‘unfair.’

Per the airline’s terms and conditions, a parent/ guardian is required to sit next to their child if aged between two and 11 years old.

The Mandatory Family Seat comes with a fee between €6 and €10.50.

The Ryanair website says: ‘It is mandatory for an adult travelling with children under 12 (excl. infants) to reserve a seat.

‘A maximum of four children for every one adult on the same booking will receive a reserved seat free of charge.

‘This ensures parents of young children sit together during the flight.’

The CMA has now launched an investigation into the airline’s approach to seat reservations, and whether it is in line with consumer law.

The watchdog noted that other airlines offered to seat children next to parents or guardians free of charge.

Director of consumer protection at CMA Hayley Fletcher noted that additional charges quickly raise the cost of family holidays.

She said: ‘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.’

Ryanair branded the investigation as ‘bogus’, adding that they looked forward to disproving the CMA.

They said: ‘This bogus CMA investigation is a failed effort by the Starmer Govt to pretend it cares about consumers when it has failed to abolish APD [Air Passenger Duty] which would immediately deliver lower fares for all consumers and growth for the UK aviation, tourism and wider economy.’